Leicester vs Manchester City Prediction and Preview – 29/12/15
Premier League preview – Leicester vs Manchester City prediction
Danny Drinkwater is the main concern for Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri. The midfield dynamo was forced to retire early from the home game against Chelsea on 14 December and is not certain to be fit to face title-rivals Manchester City on Tuesday. Leicester a will definitely be without Jeffrey Schlupp who has a hamstring injury and Matthew James who only recently came off crutches following an operation on his anterior cruciate ligament.
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini was pleased to welcome Fernando and Pablo Zabaleta to the squad in time for Christmas, leaving Vincent Kompany and Samir Nasr undergoing treatment. Kompany made a fleeting return on Boxing Day after missing the previius eight games. The City skipper limped off with a calf-strain just minutes after coming on a second half substitute in the 4-1 win against Sunderland.
Possible Line-ups
Leicester: 4-4-2 formation: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, King, Kante, Albrighton; Okazaki, Vardy
Manchester City: 4-2-3-1 formation: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Toure; de Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Aguero
Statistics (
- Leicester have won 7 drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
- Manchester City have won 5 drawn 1 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Leicester have scored an average of 1.8 goals and conceded an average of 0.8 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Manchester City have scored an average of 1.9 goals and conceded an average of 1.5 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Leicester’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Manchester City’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Leicester’s free-scoring duo Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez would have been rubbing their hands with glee watching some of Manchester City’s defensive performances in December but can expect to meet sterner resistance now the City skipper has returned to bolster the back line. The Foxes are also prone in defence and despite only losing once at home, have conceded 15 goals in 9 Premier League games at the King Power Stadium this term.
Pellegrini must find a way to address the inconsistency that creeps into City’s game. They have the players to tear teams apart (hitting four goals or more on six separate occasions this season) but are equally prone to pressing the self-destruct button as shown in the 4-1 defeat at home to Liverpool and 2-0 loss at Stoke which probably flattered the visitors. City have lost their last three away games and mustered one goal in the last four road trips. Leicester’s adventurous play could give Pellegrini’s men the chance to improve on that record but they’ll have to work hard to keep the Foxes out at the other end.
This could be a pivotal time for both sides with regards to their title-winning credentials and it is Manchester City that have the experience and quality for such an occasion.
Tips
Manchester City to win at 21/20 with Betbright
Under 2.5 goals at 53/35 Marathonbet
Manchester City to win 1-0 at 11/1 with bet365
What are your predictions?
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