Leicester City vs Manchester City Predictions

Leicester City vs Manchester City Predictions for this Premier League fixture. Struggling for form, Manchester City aim to end 2024 on a high with a much-needed victory against Leicester City on Sunday, seeking to regain momentum amid their challenging Premier League campaign. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Premier League | Dec 29, 2024 at 2.30pm UK at King Power Stadium

Leicester City vs Manchester City Predictions

Can Manchester City Salvage a Dismal Year Against Leicester?

• Leicester’s Leaky Defence: The Foxes have shipped 40 goals this season, with 12 coming in just their last four games, highlighting their struggles at the back.
• City’s Away Woes: Manchester City have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five away Premier League matches, conceding two goals in each game.
• Goal-Scoring Potential: Despite poor form, City’s Erling Haaland has remained a consistent threat, underlining why City still have the quality to win matches like this.

Our Tips

As the curtain falls on 2024, Manchester City, reigning champions turned strugglers, face a desperate trip to Leicester City with much to prove. The contrast between these two sides’ recent fortunes is stark: City, languishing in seventh place and fighting to stay in the Champions League race, and Leicester, staring at relegation while boasting the joint-leakiest defence in the league. A clash at the King Power Stadium offers both teams a tantalising opportunity to rewrite a grim narrative before the New Year.

Pep Guardiola’s side, who have been dogged by poor form and injuries, stumbled to another disappointing result on Boxing Day with a 1-1 draw against Everton. Meanwhile, Leicester’s narrow but ultimately fruitless effort against Liverpool left them licking their wounds, their defensive frailties once again exposed. With high stakes and high drama anticipated, this showdown is one that neither side can afford to lose.

Best Bet: Manchester City to Win and Both Teams to Score

While Manchester City have endured a torrid spell, there’s still enough firepower in their ranks to see them over the line against Leicester. However, backing them for a clean sheet feels optimistic given their recent defensive woes.

City’s issues at the back have been glaring, with Guardiola’s men conceding two goals per match in their last five away league fixtures. Leicester, despite their relegation struggles, have found ways to test defences, as evidenced by Jordan Ayew’s strike against Liverpool. Patson Daka, deputising for Jamie Vardy, could well exploit City’s vulnerabilities, particularly with Ruben Dias sidelined and other defenders not at their sharpest.

Nonetheless, Leicester’s defence, which has conceded a staggering 40 goals in 18 matches, cannot be trusted to keep City’s attack quiet. Erling Haaland, despite missing a penalty against Everton, remains a potent threat. The midfield duo of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva should have the quality to break down Leicester’s porous backline, creating ample chances for City’s star striker.

The numbers further underline this prediction. Leicester have gone 12 matches without a clean sheet and have conceded 12 goals in their last four games. City, though far from their best, possess too much quality to falter here entirely. A narrow victory feels likely, but not without conceding.

“Manchester City’s defensive frailty has been alarming,” BettingTips4You.com expert Gram Dodd explains. “But their attack is too good not to find the net against a Leicester side that bleeds goals. Backing a City win with both teams scoring offers value and logic in equal measure.”

Correct Score Prediction: Leicester City 1-3 Manchester City

A 3-1 scoreline seems to encapsulate the expected dynamics of this match. Leicester’s ability to carve out a goal through Daka or Mavididi appears plausible given City’s vulnerabilities, but it’s unlikely they’ll manage more than that. Conversely, City’s firepower, spearheaded by Haaland, should overpower a Leicester defence that has been all too generous this season.

City are likely to dominate possession and create numerous chances, with De Bruyne’s return to form and Bernardo Silva’s influence in midfield being key. The sheer number of chances they can create against a fragile Leicester defence suggests they will outscore the Foxes comfortably.

Guardiola’s men may start nervously given their recent struggles, but as Leicester’s defensive lapses inevitably come to the fore, City should find their rhythm. The result would offer the beleaguered champions some solace as they head into 2025 with hope of redemption.

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