Manchester City vs Leicester City
English Premier League
Date: Sunday, 27 September 2020
Kick-off at 16:30 UK/ 17:30 CET
Venue: Etihad Stadium.
Match preview
Manchester City have already seen off their first major test of the new season, setting a marker 3-1 victory at Wolves on Monday to pick up the points that escaped their home and the same opposition last term.
It was not entirely plain sailing, with Wolves wasted a number of second half chances that could earn something in the game, but since they were one week behind their opponents in terms of physical condition was a result Pep Guardiola would have greatly pleased.
Things do not get easier this weekend, facing the first leaders of the league and a team that's sitting on top of a large part of last season before falling away finally the first two.
However, the former champions will be happy to be back at home; they have won 10 and lost none of their last 11 Premier League outings at Etihad Stadium and have won the last seven of those with an overall score of 26-1.
Not since 1989-1990 have Man City lost their opening home game of a top flight season, and they were victorious in the territory of the house midweek too, like a Phil Foden strike sent them by the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
Leicester saw their own EFL Cup hopes ended with a 2-0 defeat at home to Arsenal on Wednesday night, but that is the only downside of what has been an encouraging start to the campaign.
Such a disappointing end to last season has raised concerns about whether the Foxes would be able to fight for the football Champions League again, but they now sit in a position where they are not occupied since the last day of the season won the unforgettable title - top of the table.
Of course, Brendan Rodgers will not pay attention to the league standings after just two games of the season, but it is a position each team would be rather unlikely, especially with Leicester boasting the best record attached attacking soaring at the time too.
A triumph on first day 3-0 West Bromwich Albion was followed with a 4-2 win over Burnley last weekend, leaving Leicester looking to win their first three league games of a season for only the fourth time the -23 first time since 1922 and the first time in the top flight.
Achieving this feat at home to Man City would make all the more important and certainly a way to prove the four best qualifications Leicester this season, although Rodgers has never won away in Sunday's opponents in his coaching career, while Leicester as the team lost eight of the last nine meetings at home and outside.
Team News
Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva, João Cancelo and Olksandar Zincheko all miss home Leicester due to injury.
Gabriel Jesus was excluded, which could see the son of Rory, aged 17 Liam Delap, thrown into the deep after scoring on his debut Thursday. However, more than likely Raheem Sterling will play center with Riyad Mahrez to come to face his former club.
Ilkay Gundogan always observed a self-isolation period after testing positive for Covid-19.
Wilfred Ndidi joined Ricardo Pereira and Filip Benkovic the key.
Jonny Evans has served his three-match ban and is able to start from the opposite side.
James Maddison could earn his first start of the league season after leaving his return in midweek.
New signing Cengiz Under is not available until next week, while Gray is ill and Demarai missing here.
Manchester City vs Leicester City: Prediction
Citizens have won 1-3 on the road the last day of the match against Wolves (one of the best teams from last season). Meanwhile, Rodgers's men recorded a 4-2 win at home last week to play in the league against Burnley.
However, the Foxes lose their match of the Carabao Cup against Arsenal after via a dashboard 0-2.
Go, they were also winless in 16 of their 23 previous match-ups together, and remained in eight of their last ten road trips. In fact, despite their two wins in the PL, they struggled for some time to get into shape, and against a quality team like the men of Guardiola, they are supposed to fight.
In contrast, their counterparts had won 15 of their last 20 games, and had also won eight of their nine previous appearances at home.
Besides all this, they also have a phenomenal record H2H against the Foxes - especially lately.
Given these statistics, you expect a victory of Manchester City on Sunday.
Manchester City vs Leicester City betting tips
Manchester City Asian Handicap -1 @ 1.40 (2/5).
Half Time Result: Manchester City to win @ 1.67 (2/3).
