It's a battle between the last month's free-falling sides. Manchester City, now out of contention for European spots, goes up against Leicester City that's just entered the relegation zone.
Can this get any worse? Sure, it can. Both teams will try to avoid that fate when they meet at King Power Stadium on Sunday, December 29, at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Here is my Manchester City vs. Leicester City prediction and Premier League odds for this match.
Manchester City vs. Leicester City Prediction, Pick, Odds
| Man City Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -130 | 3.5 -110o / -115u | -300 |
| Foxes Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -105 | 3.5 -110o / -115u | +700 |
- Manchester City vs. Leicester City moneyline odds: Manchester City -300, Draw +475, Leicester City +700
- Manchester City vs. Leicester City over/under: 3.5 Goals (Over -110, Under -115)
- Manchester City vs. Leicester City pick: Manchester City moneyline and Under 3.5 goals
I am backing Manchester City to Win and Under 3.5 goals in the Leicester City vs. Manchester City match.
Manchester City Prediction
Everyone has taken their best guess at what has happened to the defending champions, apart from conspiracy theories, a case of soccer amnesia, or a rare virus. But after an excellent start to the season, the hard and cold truth is they have been awful, with every one of their star players underperforming to astonishing levels.
The team shares the last place in the November-December standings in the Premier League with two others: Southampton and Leicester City. In that span, City totaled just five points with a 1-2-6 record befitting of a relegation side, which is exactly where the other two stand right now in the season table. The only good news for the Citizens is facing one of those in this fixture.
Luck hasn't been on their side either. In the last nine games, Manchester City had 16.90 xG but only scored 10.
The defense must also step up if they hope to get away with a win and finally remember who they are. City have conceded twice in each of their past five away matches — and 17 in the last nine games.
Leicester City Prediction
Leicester City have quite a decent home record (2-3-4) compared to fellow bottom-three sides Ipswich (0-4-5) and Southampton (1-1-7). But like their matchday rivals, Manchester City, the word that best describes their situation is crisis. The Foxes have lost their last three games while playing three different goalkeepers.
Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy's past as a legendary United goalscorer may motivate them to beat their Manchester foes, although the need to find an identity for his side is more pressing. The Foxes have shown no punch or control this season, with or without their leader Jamie Vardy. The striker was doubtful for this match but seems to have recovered and could be back in the lineup.
Most concerning are Leicester's defensive vulnerabilities. The Foxes have managed just one clean sheet in 18 matches and have conceded two or more goals in nine of their last eleven fixtures. They are tied for first in goals allowed with 40, and it should have been worse, given their 41.82 xGA. Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen is still out until next month with a groin injury, and they're down to their third GK this season, Jakub Stolarczyk, who started against Liverpool on Boxing Day.
Leicester City is far removed from that amazing 2016 title team, but Vardy might need to remind his teammates of the odds they faced back then to inspire them and snap the losing streak.
Manchester City vs. Leicester City Prediction
Two desperate teams with terrible defensive records of late might suggest a high-scoring game. Manchester City have a clear advantage in the head-to-head series, even winning the past four encounters. Of those matchups, however, the two played at King Power Stadium ended with the same low score: 1-0 wins for the Citizens.
That bodes well for the visitors. But that was the City everyone knew, not this one. This struggling version has only won one of nine matches and wasted what seemed a great opportunity at home on Thursday against Everton. This time they'll face a relegation team. Will they squander another chance to wake up?
Both teams have allowed an indecent amount of goals lately, pushing the total to 3.5 for this game. But the Foxes have shown they can compete at home, even in their past narrow defeats to City. So a lower score might be in play, with a much-awaited return to joy for the Citizens.
Manchester City vs. Leicester City Pick: Manchester City to Win and Under 3.5 goals
