LEICESTER CITY
(Form check: WDLLDL)
Last season's champions seem to be struggling with the added burden of competing in the Premier League and forging ahead with their debut campaign in The Champions League. The Foxes currently sit just two points above the relegation zone in 16th and have their fans worried about the form the club are in. Leicester City have won just once in six games, a 3-1 home win against Crystal Palace. Their problems have come in the way of a lack of attacking threat, last year’s hero Jamie Vardy has failed to score in the league since a 4-1 away defeat to Liverpool, in the middle of September.
Claudio Ranieri has struggled to replace summer leaver N’Golo Kante in the heart of his midfield, the effectiveness of the midfielder has been proved by his new team Chelsea’s rise to the summit. The over reliance of Riyad Mahrez to feed Jamie Vardy also looks to be a problem for the Foxes. The Algerian has created only a single assist for his team this campaign. The lackluster performances have hurt his side, averaging a rating of 6.78, seems to coincide with the precarious position the current title holders find themselves in.
For Leicester City to get anything out of the tie looks to be difficult for the East Midlands club, the visitors arrive on the back of a heavy defeat to title rivals Chelsea and look thirsty for a scapegoat, unfortunately for Leicester, they are next.
MANCHESTER CITY
(Form check: DWDWWL)
If any team needed a win to shake off a poor result it’s Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side, not only did the 3-1 defeat to title rivals Chelsea produce hurt in terms of pride, the Spaniard now looks like he has some real issues to deal with, one in particular that may provide a fatal flaw to the Sky Blue’s title charge. Defensively, Man City looked woefully short of the desired level needed to mount a serious title charge. Diego Costa’s bullying of England central defender John Stones was at times was difficult to watch, the Spaniard controlled the game for his side and made sure that his team came away with the win in impressive style.
Other than twice this season, City have failed to keep a clean sheet. Alongside this problem, their attacking prowess has also been blunted following the Chelsea game. Suspension for superstar Sergio Aguero following the fracas towards the end of the tie looks to be problematic City. The Argentine who has an impressive record of scoring ten goals in eleven matches now faces a four match ban and could prove telling for the title chasing side.
STATS
- Leicester have failed to keep a clean sheet since the 2nd of October against Southampton.
- Manchester City have scored in all but one game this campaign.
- Leicester have been involved in games that have produced over 3 goals a game apart from three all season.
- Leicester club hero Jamie Vardy has now gone 10 games in the league without scoring.
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CURRENT MATCH ODDS (BEST PRICED ODDS)
Leicester City: 15/4 (Betfair Sportsbook) - Bet Here! Draw: 3/1 (BetVictor) - Bet Here! Manchester City: 8/11 (Bet365) - Bet Here!
SUMMING UP!
Both sides need the win, Leicester are desperate to pull away from the relegation zone and Manchester City need to recover from their stunning defeat to Chelsea. Losing Aguero to suspension could prove a headache for the title chasers and could prove a chink in the amour for the current champions Leicester. The creaky defences for both teams should ensure both sides score, however a new set up without their talismanic striker could prove problematic for Man City.
MY RECOMMENDED BETS (BEST PRICED ODDS)
- A 3-1 win for Man City (14/1 with Bet365) - Bet Here!
- Man City to come from behind and win (8/1 with Paddy Power) - Bet Here!
- Leicester to win and keep a clean sheet (17/2 with SkyBet) - Bet Here!
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