Manchester City close out a year of two halves on Sunday afternoon as they travel to a struggling Leicester City in the Premier League.
After clinching their fourth consecutive league title in May, Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Cityzens looked set for a run of five after making an excellent start to the 2024/25 season. However, the perennial champions have since fallen to a level Guardiola has never overseen in his managerial career.
There are a myriad of factors at play of the city his death, and his woeful 13-game winning streak has left his season on the brink. Unthinkably, a top-four finish, not the title, must be their main goal this season, having slipped to seventh with 28 points from 18 games.
However, the Cityzens at least have a chance to end the year on a high. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester may be slightly more exciting than Steve Cooper’s iteration, but they are conceding shots at will and only an improvement out of possession will give the Foxes a chance of survival.
They lost three on the rebound and fell into the drop zone after theirs Boxing Day defeat to Liverpool it was preceded by Wolves’ 2-0 win over Manchester United.
here it is 90 minutes guide to the nearby city of Man Premier League shock
Leicester vs Man City Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Leicester |
Man City |
|---|---|
|
Liverpool 3-1 Leicester – 26/12/24 |
Man City 1-1 Everton – 26/12/24 |
|
Leicester 0-3 Wolves – 21/12/24 |
Aston Villa 2-1 Man City – 21/12/24 |
|
Newcastle 4-0 Leicester 14/12/24 |
Man City 1-2 Man Utd – 15/12/24 |
|
Leicester 2-2 Brighton – 24/12/08 |
Juventus 2-0 Man City – 12/11/24 |
|
Leicester – West Ham 3-1 – 03/12/24 |
Crystal Palace 2-2 Man City – 12/07/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
united kingdom |
Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD |
|
united states |
peacock |
|
canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada |
Patson Daka got the nod at Anfield with Jamie Vardy out with knock and it remains to be seen whether the former England international will be back in time for City’s visit. Odsonne Edouard is another striker option for Van Nistelrooy if Vardy fails.
The Foxes have a number of other major injury concerns that are bound to hamper the new manager’s ability to build any momentum at the start of his reign. Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen has been Leicester’s standout player this term but is currently sidelined with a groin injury.
Wilfred Ndidi has a thigh complaint, while Ricardo Pereira and Abdul Fatawu are out for the long term. Fatawu is unlikely to feature until 2025/26 after tearing his ACL.
Predicted Leicester vs Man City line-up (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Skipp, Soumare; Ayew, Buonanotte, Mavididi; Dhaka.
City were dealt another big blow before Christmas with Ruben Dias picking up a muscle injury in the Manchester Derby which could rule him out for up to a month.
Guardiola may call on Nathan Ake after the Dutchman suffered a setback but is still working to return to full fitness. Ake was unable to complete City’s Boxing Day draw with Everton and his minutes will have to be managed carefully this weekend.
However, with John Stones and Kyle Walker on the verge of missing out, Guardiola has little choice but to start the Netherlands international again on Sunday.
Matheus Nunes and Ederson are dealing with knocks that make them doubtful for the trip to the King Power, while Rodri and Oscar Bobb are long-term absentees.
Predicted Man City vs Leicester line-up (4-1-4-1): Nettle; Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Guardiol; Stadium; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden, Doku; Holland
There have been spells in the midst of the city’s terrible run when you felt a semblance of normalcy returning. They were so good early on against Everton on Christmas Day, but managed to level the game with Erling Haaland missing a second-half spot-kick.
Despite their weaknesses, the Cityzens should be backed against a Leicester side on Sunday that will likely be without a couple of key faces. The Foxes offer exuberance in transition and should be able to hurt their visitors, but even a City side that often looked rhythmic and predictable going forward will have joy in Leicester’s porous defensive structure.
It may not be the right game for City, but they will end 2024 on a positive note.
