Verdict: Manchester City to win both halves

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to make another statement this weekend, Manchester City will welcome Leicester to the Etihad on Saturday evening.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might open this weekend’s fixtures sat six points adrift of Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side are in the midst of a stellar purple patch. Laying down a major Champions League marker earlier in the week as they breezed their way to a 3-0 romp at home against German giants Bayern Munich, the former Barcelona boss should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Continuing to shine on either side of the international break, there is no doubt that the defending Premier League champions should be smelling the chance to make another statement. Likewise, last seen in top-flight action claiming a routine 4-1 victory away at relegation scrappers Southampton, the Sky Blues have now won each of their last nine straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to February 22nd. It should also be noted, Guardiola’s side have bagged 20 goals in just their last four showdowns the Etihad.

Team News

Still yet to make an appearance since returning from March’s international break, Phil Foden will not feature here. However, despite appearing to pick up a second-half knock on Champions League duties in midweek, Kevin De Bruyne should keep his spot in Guardiola’s starting XI.

Finding the net against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night and already notching 45 goals across all competitions this season, Erling Haaland will spearhead City’s attack at the Etihad. England international John Stones could once again partner Rodri in midfield.

Leicester

As for the visitors, while Leicester might have announced the arrival of new boss Dean Smith earlier in the week, it is no secret that the Foxes are enduring a Premier League nightmare. Last seen getting hit with a shock 1-0 loss at home against fellow strugglers Bournemouth, the ex-Aston Villa manager knows that he faces a real uphill struggle over the coming weeks. At the heart of a relegation scrap and opening this weekend’s fixtures sat two points adrift of safety, Saturday’s guests have only continued to show a string of issues on either side of the international break. In fact, losing each of their three Premier League appearances since returning from the fortnight interval, Leicester have also collected just a single point since way back on February 11th. Likewise, with just a single top-flight away win to their name over the past five months, Smith’s new squad should be bracing themselves for a monumental challenge in Manchester.

Team News

Missing last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at home against Bournemouth through suspension, 24-year-old Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is free to make his return on Saturday evening. Veteran defender Johnny Evans could make a first Premier League start since back on October 8th.

However, Smith will be unable to call upon the likes of Ryan Bertrand, James Justin and Youri Tielemans when they travel to the Etihad this weekend. Former Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho will be looking for a full recall and could replace Jamie Vardy leading the line.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse meeting on October 29th, Manchester City picked up a 1-0 victory at the King Power.
• The defending Premier League champions have won each of their last nine appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, Saturday’s hosts have scored a staggering 20 goals in just their last four appearances at the Etihad.
• Leicester have failed to win any of their last nine straight appearances across all formats – a run that has seen them slump to eight defeats.
• The Foxes have also recorded just a single Premier League point since back on February 11th.

Conclusion

Storming their way to a routine 3-0 romp at home against Bayern Munich earlier in the week, Manchester City should be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Winning each of their last nine straight appearances across all competitions, Guardiola’s high-flying squad should be relishing Leicester’s arrival on Saturday evening. Now notching 20 goals in just their last four appearances at the Etihad, the Foxes will face another monumental challenge here. Remarkably collecting just a single point from any of their previous eight Premier League outings, it is hard to see anything other than a routine home romp this weekend.

Verdict: Manchester City to win both halves

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Unibet