This weekend brings back the English Premier league action, with matches scheduled throughout the top flight in England, as teams look to go hammer and tongs in a bid to achieve their objectives for the season.
This Saturday brings to us a clash between the Manchester City, who were one of the favorites of the neutrals to win the title, and the Leicester City, who had completed a beautiful fairytale season to win the title the last season, a feat which has looked increasingly distant keeping in mind the performances of the foxes this season.
This match has a very vital role in the home team’s quest for a top four finish, as the race for top four intensifies.
MANCHESTER CITY FC VS LEICESTER CITY FC
Three-Way 1: MANCHESTER CITY FC -357; X: +590 Draw; 2: LEICESTER CITY FC +1150
Spread -1.5: MANCHESTER CITY FC -133; LEICESTER CITY FC +134
TOTAL +3.5: Over -101; Under -104
MANCHESTER CITY FC
When the season started, a majority of the focus was on the city of Manchester, as the red and blue halves of it were believed to be fighting for the title, mostly because of the recruitment of Pep Guardiola, and his favorite rival, Jose Mourinho, to City and United respectively. However, for Pep, who is used to having silverware in his hands at the end of each season, this season has been bit of a reality check. With the ruthlessness of the English Premier League, Pep has realized that it would take some time to hit the top gear with the Blues. Even though it must be appreciated that City has a appealing swagger about their play, but it still needs plenty work to become a trademark Pep Guardiola team.
The Citizens are sitting at 4th position in the English Premier league table, having 69 points, with 34 of them being earned at the Etihad Stadium. They are trailing Liverpool by 1 point. However, the Reds have played a game more than Pep’s men. The Citizens are unbeaten in the last 5 games in the league. Their current home form reads 3-2-1, over the last 6 games. Their last defeat came against the league leaders Chelsea, way back in early April. Their last two results handed them 4 points. A 2:2 away draw against Middlesbrough, was followed by an emphatic win against Crystal Palace at home, where the final score was 5:0. The final score of a 2:1 win has been a frequent sight for the City fans as their team has done it 7 times so far in the season.
If someone asks about the most visible change on the Manchester City unit after Pep came aboard, everyone will agree on the point that it is their attack. When in form, their attack is a thing of beauty. Blistering pace on the attack by the likes of Sane, with the ruthless finishing of Aguero and new boy Gabriel Jesus, among others, has seen them score 70 goals in the English Premier league, which is second best, behind the league leaders Chelsea. Out of those 70 goals, 32 have been scored at home.
It is worth noting that even after such an attack, City has dropped points. This can be partially pointed to their inconsistent defense and lack of defensive steel in the squad. Even though they have conceded the 4th least goals in the league, with 37 conceded, it is no secret how poor their backline can be. City has kept 10 clean sheets, with their decision of buying former Barca keeper Bravo another questionable move.
Argentine striker Sergio Aguero has kept his reputation of being a trustworthy Goal scorer intact, with 18 goals in the league, even after there were some rumors of his place in danger after Gabriel Jesus made a wonderful start to his career in England. Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, has used his wonderful eye for a pass to make a league high 15 assists so far in the league. Apart from these two, English winger Raheem Sterling has been equally helpful, with 7 goals and 7 assists to his name.
Their much scrutinized goal keeper Claudio Bravo, is out for the reason, after he injured his calf in April. He joins summer signing Ilkay Guendogan on the season long treatment table, who is also out for the season with a Cruciate ligament injury. Defender John Stones, and striker Sergio Aguero, who are both recovering from Groin injuries, will most probably be back in training and may make it to Guardiola’s squad for the weekend.
LEICESTER CITY FC
After a wonderful campaign last year, when the Foxes defied all odds to be crowned champions on the English Premier League, it’s safe to say, this season has been a disappointment. Yes, everyone knew that a title defense was almost impossible, but still, we all expected some sort of commitment, at least some resemblance to the title winning campaign. After a horrendous start, which resulted in the sacking of the universally adored manager Claudio Ranieri, Leicester find themselves working hard to retain some honor. It must be acknowledged, that the foxes have shown tremendous improvement under caretaker manager Craig Shakespeare, which makes their poor form under Ranieri all the more suspicious.
Sitting 9th in the English Premier league table, the Foxes have accrued 43 points so far, 33 of them having come at their home stadium, which shows their woeful away form. The Foxes are unbeaten in the last three matches. They won their last fixture at home against Watford, by the score 3:0. Before that, the grabbed a 1:0 away win against West Bromwich Albion. Their current form over the last 6 matches is 4-1-1. With a 3:0 defeat and a 2:1 defeat being there most common results this season, it is safe to say that this campaign has fallen short of its expectations.
Leicester FC has been in much better form since the turn of the year. The performances and the commitment of the players finally had some resemblance to their title winning campaign. They have scored 45 goals in the English Premier League so far, something which highlights the comparative poor form of their attackers. 29 of those have come at home. The sturdy defense of last year has been in tatters, partly due to the sale of workhorse N’golo Kante to Chelsea. They have conceded 53 goals this season, keeping 9 clean sheets in the process.
Star striker Jamie Vardy has scored 12 goals in the league till now, and provided 5 assists. Midfielder Marc Albrighton also has 5 assists to his name. Summer signing Islam Slimani has contributed with 7 goals in the league. One of the most striking flaws that has been visible this season in the team’s play has been the bite of their former player Kante, who is on course to be the first player to be a part of two different title winning teams in two different seasons, after Eric Cantona. His absence has allowed teams to overcome the Leicester midfield, as Danny Drinkwater has been struggling to handle the added pressure of protection of the backline, something which N’Golo Kante could do with relative ease.
Summer recruit Nempalys Mendy, along with Molla Wague, are both out for rest of the season, due to an ankle injury and a dislocated shoulder respectively. Captain Wes Morgan is having a Hamstring Strain, and hence, is a doubt for the match.
MANCHESTER CITY FC vs LEICESTER CITY FC MATCH PREDICTION
This match has massive implications for the Citizens. Manchester City cannot afford any slip ups when the race for the top four is heating up, and hence it will be very important to grab all three points. However, the Foxes will be out to make it a double over Pep’s men. But keeping in mind that Leicester has a woeful away form this season, it will be safe to say, that City should take all three points from the match. Therefore, my prediction will be a home win, with Leicester City scoring at least once. This match has the potential to produce goals, and that’s what we all are hoping for.
MY PICK: Over 3.5 goals (-101)
ADDITIONAL PICK: Both teams to score (-125)
