Leicester City vs Manchester City
The Premier League champions elect against the side which is responsible – and probably always will be – for the most amazing Premier League story of all.
There are few better ways to spend early Easter Saturday evening than watch events unfold at the King Power Stadium.
Certainly, a meeting between the third-place hosts (unlikely 2016 champions) and the runaway leaders has potential for plenty of Premier League highlights.
Talking Points
Normally, at this stage of a campaign, the onus would be firmly on the side at the summit but that is not the case this time.
Indeed, such is the position that the pressure is off Pep Guardiola’s men who have breathing space at the top, thanks to a run of 17 wins from 18 league games.
It is a case of when, not if, the Citizens clinch their third title in four years and, with this fixture coming just 72 hours before the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final, they could be forgiven for having one eye on that encounter.
Leicester arguably need the points more as they continue their bid to secure a top four spot – something they agonisingly missed out on last term after, at one point, holding a healthy advantage.
In a big boost for the Foxes, James Maddison and Ricardo Pereira are fit again this weekend, although Cengiz Under and Wes Morgan will miss out, as will Harvey Barnes who has impressed in recent months but remains a few weeks away from a return.
Their attack will again be spearheaded by Jamie Vardy – who has an impressive record against City – and Kelechi Iheanacho.
He is in the form of his life at present, scoring six goals in his last three matches and will be set on notching another against his former club.
City, who need just 14 points from a maximum 24 available to secure the title, have no injury concerns heading into this contest.
It will be interesting to see if Sergio Aguero is in the starting XI as he begins the final chapter of his magnificent club career.
This week Guardiola described the Argentine as “irreplaceable” and credited him with helping City to “a higher level”, as the striker prepares to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.
The club’s all-time record goalscorer– although he is far more than a great goalscorer for Manchester City– has won four Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and five League Cups during his decade-long stay and will depart when his contract expires.
He will deservedly end his time at City as a champion.
Leicester are the only side to have embarrassed City this season as they put five past them early on in the campaign and would love to secure a first league double over them since the 1986-87 season in the former Division One (a campaign in which both sides were relegated).
The result won’t affect the outcome of the league title but, who knows, could be a fixture which ends up being this season’s FA Cup Final.
Happy Easter!
History
When these sides met in the second week of the campaign, it led to a massive shock and prompted me to say Guardiola would never win another Premier League title until he recruited a world class centre back.
I’m sure he didn’t read the article but the Spaniard duly acted to sign Ruben Dias from Benfica two days later and City have rarely looked back since.
The corresponding fixture last season saw a late goal from Gabriel Jesus edge the contest in City’s favour.
Guardiola’s first ever game against Leicester in 2016 left him and his team with a bloodied nose.
In fact, the then reigning champions were 4-0 up at one stage, inspired by Vardy, before City pulled two goals back in a memorable 4-2 victory for the home side.
City have won eight of the last 10 meetings (two in a penalty shoot-out after League Cup ties ended level). Overall, City have won 61 of their meetings with 31 wins for the Foxes and 29 draws.
Betting Tip
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Leicester City vs Manchester City | Manchester City First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.12 |
| April 04, 00:30 (GMT+8) |
It will be hard for Leicester to repeat their FA Cup victory over Man Utd as City should be much fresher than their city rivals were, making this a different proposition.
The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds favour City 1X2 @ 1.57 and Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 2.29, whereas the Foxes can be tipped 1X2 @ 5.80 or Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 1.90.
Over 2.75 goals @ 1.98 has caught my eye, as have total goal 2-3 @ 1.97 and 4-6 @ 3.15.
A repeat of this fixture last season – correct score 0-1 – will pay out @ 6.80.
I am expecting City to triumph.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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