Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes took an unexpected hit in week 18. Crystal Palace shocked Pep Guardiola’s team, 3-2, at the Etihad.
Now, Manchester City must bounce back and avoid dropping anymore points as Liverpool continue to win. Meanwhile, Leicester City defeated Chelsea last weekend to end a two-match losing streak.
Manager Pep Guardiola has seen his team lose two out of three Premier League games. The Cityzens have suddenly struggled defensively after sweeping everyone aside previously. Manchester City still lead the Premier League in goals scored (50) and have allowed the second fewest goals (13). But in their last three games, Manchester City have unexpectedly conceded six times.
Leicester have allowed the fifth fewest goals in the Premier League (21). Manager Claude Puel has seen his team score 22 goals, the 10th most. Leicester have struggled at home this term, obtaining 11 points from 24 possible. They have posted a +2-goal difference at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes have only won once in their last five home fixtures and their most recent game, against Tottenham, ended in a 2-0 loss.
Manchester City have obtained 17 of 24 away points while registering a +11-goal difference. The Cityzens’ defence may have cracked last weekend at home, but on the road, it has allowed just four strikes. Manchester City have outscored Leicester 12-8 in their last six meetings in all competitions. Leicester’s last win against Manchester City came in December 2016. The Foxes won at home with a 4-2 victory. Since then, Manchester City have gone three games undefeated against Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester haven’t seen many goals at home recently. Their last nine Premier League matches have finished with under 2.5 goals scored. Contrastingly, Manchester City’s last seven of eight league games have had over 2.5 goals. Guardiola’s team has scored two or more goals in seven of eight games.
David Silva and Vincent Kompany are not expected to start against Leicester. However, the duo could still play a part off the bench. Benjamin Mendy is once again out with an injury and fellow full-back Kyle Walker has struggled with form of late. Sergio Aguero is expected to return to the Manchester City starting XI.
History is not on Leicester’s side for their Boxing Day fixture. Since winning promotion in 2014, Leicester have not won any of their four Boxing Day matches. All four have ended in losses.
Boxing Day 2018 won’t be any better for the Foxes. Leicester will once again lose while allowing Manchester City to find the back of the net on several occasions. The game will see over 2.5 goals with both sides finding the back of the net.