Verdict: Manchester City win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Unibet
Hoping to briefly climb to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday lunchtime, Manchester City will make the trip to Leicester when this weekend’s Premier League fixtures get underway.
Leicester
Starting with the hosts, while Leicester might have found themselves in the midst of a real Premier League nightmare when opening the 2022/23 campaign, it appears that the Foxes have found a much-needed boost since returning from September’s international break. Last seen laying down a real marker as they breezed their way to a thumping 4-0 romp away at Wolves, Brendan Rodgers’ side have skyrocketed their way out of the relegation zone. Now claiming back-to-back top-flight victories, the one-time Liverpool boss has also seen his side lose just one of their previous five Premier League matchups. However, despite finding some recent stability at the back after recording three clean sheets on the spin, fans around the King Power will know that their side face a real challenge on Saturday lunchtime. It should be highlighted, when Leicester last faced off against the defending champions back on December 26th, they were blown away by a 6-3 drumming at the Etihad.
Team News
Leicester will once again be without the injured quartet of Wilfred Ndidi, Ricardo Pereira, Johnny Evans and Ryan Bertrand this weekend.
However, after picking up a 4-0 victory away at Wolves last weekend, Rodgers could be tempted to name the same starting XI on Saturday lunchtime. Bagging his sixth Premier League goal of the season away at Molineux, James Maddison will spearhead Leicester’s charge here.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, while Manchester City might have been disappointed to have only played out a 0-0 stalemate away at Borussia Dortmund earlier in the week, the Sky Blues did cruise their way to the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League. Last seen on Premier League duties picking up a 3-1 victory at home against Brighton, Pep Guardiola’s men are tipped as a standout pick to reclaim their domestic crown this season. Suffering just a single top-flight defeat since opening the 2022/23 campaign, the former Barcelona boss knows that three points here will at least briefly see them leapfrog Arsenal to top spot. Looking to lay down another marker when they make the trip to Leicester on Saturday lunchtime, City will be boosted by their eye-catching record against the Foxes. Including that action-packed 6-3 win when the two sides last faced off 10 months ago, Guardiola’s superstars have won three of their previous four meetings against the relegation outsiders.
Team News
Despite being replaced at half-time during City’s 0-0 stalemate away at Borussia Dortmund earlier in the week, attacking talisman Erling Haaland will spearhead Man City’s charge on Saturday lunchtime.
Still dealing with long-term injury issues, fellow England internationals Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips will once again miss out at the King Power here. However, making his return in midweek, John Stones will be hoping to keep his place.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides last met at the Etihad on December 26th, Manchester City picked up a 6-3 victory.
- Likewise, the Sky Blues have won six of their previous eight meetings against Leicester across all formats.
- However, Saturday’s hosts have lost just one of their five Premier League matchups since returning from September’s international break.
- The Foxes have also recorded three Premier League clean sheets on the spin.
- Attacking talisman Erling Haaland has already notched 17 Premier League strikes in his first 11 appearances.
Conclusion
While Leicester might be enjoying a real boost since returning from September’s international break, the Foxes will know that they face a tough task on Saturday lunchtime. Suffering a 6-3 loss when they last faced off against the reigning Premier League champions, Man City also know that three points here will at least briefly send them to the top of the table. Suffering just a single domestic defeat since opening the 2022/23 campaign, Guardiola’s side will be desperate to avoid a potential banana skin this weekend. Although we aren’t expecting another nine-goal thriller here, we’re backing Saturday’s guests to extend on their domestic purple patch.
Verdict: Manchester City win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Unibet
