6th February 2016 Kickoff: 1245hrs
Manchester City v Leicester City
Football – England – Premier League
The Premier League’s top two face off in the early afternoon kickoff at the Etihad, on Saturday, with leaders Leicester visiting many people’s favourites for the title, Manchester City. Should the hosts win it would be enough to take them above their weekend opponents, whilst any sort of result for Claudio Ranieri’s men would be a huge boost to their dream of becoming one of the biggest surprises in English football history.
It certainly wasn’t pretty, but Manchester City were able to continue their recent good run of results with an important 1-0 win away at Sunderland. Despite coming under sustained pressure after taking an early lead, Manuel Pellegrini’s team managed to see it out and keep the pressure on the current leaders. Sergio Aguero was again the hero with the only goal of the game, taking his tally to six goals in his last five league games. City themselves are now unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions, winning five of them. Aside from a spell or two in the cup games, it’s not been vintage performances but it can also be considered something of a positive that despite not playing their best, they remain capable of picking up points and staying competitive in what has been a very strange season at the top end of the Premier League.
Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Liverpool was impressive for any number of reasons, not least because it was fully deserved and means they continue to lead the English top-flight. Jamie Vardy – who went on that terrific run of scoring in consecutive games at the beginning of the season – was on hand to score both goals, including a very special opener. Some of the football that the Foxes played could only be admired, and it was a display full of confidence and belief. You certainly won’t get the manager or any of his players speaking about their title chances, but it is only natural that they now get excited by the prospect of creating history. Saturday represents another massive challenge for them, however, and it will take a similar performance to the one they turned in on Tuesday, and with the same belief, if they are to take something from the match with City.
Saturday’s game is the first of six extremely important games for Manchester City. As well as facing Tottenham and Liverpool in the league in the coming weeks, City also travel to Chelsea in the FA Cup and have the League Cup final – also against Jurgen Klopp’s men – at the end of this month to look forward to. February is also the month when the Champions League returns meaning City travel to the Ukraine to face Dynamo Kiev in the first leg of their last-16 tie. It could well be a month that makes or breaks their season and Saturday represents an opportunity to set the tone for how the rest of the month develops.
The 1-0 defeat at Anfield against Liverpool remains Leicester’s only defeat away from home in the league this season. They have won more games on their travels than anybody else, and have picked up more points on the road than anybody else. It could be argued that they have faced the majority of the lesser sides away from home thus far, and as well as Saturday’s game, they also have to visit Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal before the end of the campaign. Those games will, of course, go a long way to deciding where Leicester do finish come May, but it would be foolish to rule them out considering how well-suited they are to playing away from home.
Manchester City v Leicester City Betting Tips
It’s no secret that both Pellegrini and Ranieri both like their teams to play on the front foot, and that is reflected by the fact they are the league’s first and second top scorers. Somewhat surprisingly, however, the first meeting between these two clubs ended goalless in what was a very cagey affair. That fixture took place during the festive period which often throws up some more cautious encounters due to how much football is played in such a short space of time.
City have shown that they are capable of grinding out results over the last month or so, but everybody is waiting for one big performance to set them apart from all the other title challengers. If their key players all click then they could well blow Leicester away on Saturday, but there has been nothing to suggest that the leaders are going to be embarrassed – far from it. Tuesday’s win over Liverpool, and the performance that secured the three points, was a signal of intent and I expect them to travel north in buoyant mood.
With so much attacking quality on show on both sides, and with each manager’s penchant for playing attacking football, I think goals is the way to go here. I appreciate that it was a defensive-type game in December, but this game should suit both of the teams better. City like the big open spaces that the Etihad pitch provides them, whilst the visitors will look to soak up pressure and use the pace in the team on the counter.
I have a feeling we could be in for something special on Saturday and expect to see a few goals. It’s a bet that would have landed in 10 of City’s home games this season, and at the price, it’s worth a play.
Over 3.5 goals 9/5 @ Betvictor
