Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they prepare to face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.
With a string of disappointing results clouding their season, Pep Guardiola’s squad is desperate for a victory to restore their confidence and salvage what remains of 2024. Leicester, on the other hand, are grappling with their own struggles, sitting in the relegation zone and battling defensive vulnerabilities. This clash promises to be a pivotal encounter for both teams.
A Rocky Road for the Champions
City’s festive fixtures have brought little joy to their fans, with the latest setback coming against Everton on Boxing Day. A 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium saw Bernardo Silva open the scoring, only for Iliman Ndiaye to equalize and Erling Haaland miss a crucial penalty. This marked City’s eighth failure to secure a Premier League win in their last nine matches, leaving them languishing in seventh place, a staggering 14 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.
Key factors contributing to City’s decline include injuries to crucial players, an aging squad that lacks fresh impetus, and the absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri due to an ACL injury. Guardiola faces an uphill battle to revitalize his team, whose away form has been particularly troubling. Conceding two goals in each of their last five Premier League road games and collecting just one point from a possible 15, City’s dominance has well and truly faltered.
Leicester’s Fragile Fortunes
Leicester’s recent trip to Anfield began with hope as they took a surprise lead against Liverpool, courtesy of Jordan Ayew. However, a stunning Cody Gakpo equalizer before halftime set the stage for the league leaders to claim a 3-1 victory. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side is now winless in three consecutive matches, slipping into the relegation zone, just one point behind safety.
The Foxes’ defensive frailties have been glaring, with 40 goals conceded in 18 league games—12 of those in their last four outings. Their inability to keep a clean sheet in 12 matches underlines a glaring issue that Van Nistelrooy must address. Yet, Leicester can draw some comfort from their past success against City, notably their 2021 Community Shield victory. However, the King Power Stadium has not seen Leicester score against City in the league since 2018.
Team News and Tactical Adjustments
City’s preparations have been hampered by a sickness bug sweeping through their squad. Kyle Walker missed the Everton game due to illness and remains doubtful for Sunday. Additionally, Ederson, Matheus Nunes, John Stones, and Jack Grealish are all nursing injuries, while Oscar Bobb, Rodri, and Ruben Dias are confirmed absentees. On a brighter note, Nathan Ake is expected to be fit, while Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne might return to bolster the midfield.
For Leicester, Jordan Ayew’s suspension following his fifth yellow card of the season adds to their woes. Ricardo Pereira, Mads Hermansen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Abdul Fatawu remain sidelined with injuries. Jamie Vardy, who missed the Liverpool clash, is also a doubt, leaving Patson Daka likely to lead the attack. Vardy’s potential absence will be a significant blow, as he holds the record for the most goals scored in this fixture.
Prediction: A Tight Contest
Despite their struggles, Leicester demonstrated glimpses of attacking promise against Liverpool, suggesting they could exploit City’s defensive vulnerabilities. However, their leaky backline remains a significant concern. City, though far from their imperious best, have the individual quality to edge this contest. Expect a close encounter, with the visitors narrowly prevailing.
Prediction: Leicester City 1-3 Manchester City
Both teams will view this match as an opportunity to change their fortunes. For City, a win could provide a much-needed morale boost heading into the new year, while Leicester will aim to use their underdog status to their advantage. The King Power Stadium is set for a gripping battle as two teams in turmoil collide.
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