Manchester City and Leicester City meet at Etihad Stadium in a match of the 37th round of the Barclays Premier League. Leicester City won at home (4-2) from the last time they faced each other in the first part of the season. The history of recent direct clashes is favorable to the home team, which has 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in the last 6 games. Although this is a game between 3rd and 9th overall, it is actually a game between the 6th in home games and the 18th as a visitor.
Manchester city
The home team is currently in 3rd place with 69 points, after 20 wins, 9 draws and 6 losses. In the penultimate match, they tied against Middlesbrough (2-2). while in the last match, they beat at home Crystal Palace (5-0). In this competition, they have not lost any of the last 10 games on their own stadium.
Manchester City enter this motivated round after a 5-0 win at home to Crystal Palace: David Silva, Kompany, De Bruyne, Sterling and Otamendi scored the winning goals. The Manchester team tends to play in a 4-3-3 where the three men responsible for creating dangerous moves on defensive opponents are Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Sané. Thus, playing at home, it is expected that Manchester City adopt a more offensive stance taking into account the lack of quality of the opponent. For this game Pep Guardiola will not be able to count on Aguero, Bravo, Stones and Gundogan for being injured.
Probable lineup: Caballero, Clichy, Otamendi, Kompany, Navas, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Sane, Sterling, Gabriel Jesus.
Leicester City
After 12 wins, 7 draws and 16 losses, the visiting team is at the 9th place, having won 43 points. In the last match, they beat Watford at home (3-0), and it was their second victory in a row, after they took all three points in the match against West Bromwich (0-1). They are stronger team in their stadium, where they won 33 points, against only 10 in their games as a visitor.
Leicester City enter this motivated round after a 3-0 win at home to Watford: Ndidi, Mahrez and Albrighton scored the winning goals. Vardy is the main reference of attack of the visitors, being that its quality of clearing and finalization is enviable. It’s no wonder that Leicester City opts to play with a 4-4-2 tactical design to channel their offensive process through midfield. The visitors’ coach will not be able to count on Mendy, Waguém and Morgan for being injured.
Probable lineup: Schmeichel, Benalouane, Huth, Simpson, Fuchs, Drinkwater, Ndidi, Mahrez, Albrighton, Ulloa, Vardy.
Manchester City vs Leicester Prediction
The difference of quality between the two teams is abysmal, being that on one side is the home team, with players of great quality. It is worth noting that Leicester City is only meeting schedule, that is, may have less interest in the game. Thus, it is hoped that Manchester City will be able to put into practice its beautiful offensive football. This way betting on the Manchester side has value.
