After a series of frustrating setbacks, Premier League champions Manchester City are hoping to end 2024 on a high with a rare win away to Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola's side could only manage a draw against Everton on Boxing Day, continuing a troubling run of form. Meanwhile, Leicester gave league leaders Liverpool a tough time, but ultimately lost 3-1.
Before the Everton match, morale was already low on the blue side of Manchester, with City struggling to regain their usual dominance. Even though a Bernardo Silva goal early on seemed to push them towards a win, a late equalizer from Iliman Ndiaye and a missed penalty by Erling Haaland meant City were left frustrated and still without a win in eight of their last nine Premier League games.
Now, approaching the halfway mark of the season, City are 14 points behind Liverpool and have played one more game. Their usual place in the top four is under serious threat, with the team currently sitting in seventh place.
The team's woes can be traced to several factors, including the loss of Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, an ageing squad, and a constant learn more of injuries. Guardiola has a lot to think about as he sets his New Year's resolutions.
The draw with Everton left City with just one win in their last 13 matches across all competitions, and their away form has been poor, with five consecutive Premier League games seeing them concede two goals in each, picking up only one point from a possible 15.
However, things were briefly looking up for City fans on Thursday night when Leicester took an unexpected lead against Liverpool. For a brief moment, it seemed as though the Foxes could pull off a shock result, but Liverpool bounced back in the second half, eventually winning 3-1. Despite the loss, Leicester shouldn't feel too downbeat about facing the league's top team.
But things are tough for Leicester, who have now lost three games in a row, which saw them drop into the relegation zone, just one point behind the struggling Manchester United. Their defense has been a major issue, with 40 goals conceded in 18 matches this season, including 12 in their last four games. They've now gone 12 matches without a clean sheet.
The Foxes' most recent victory over Manchester City came in the 2021 Community Shield, but since then, Guardiola’s team has won four straight matches against them, not conceding a single goal at the King Power Stadium since Boxing Day 2018. Could that be a sign of hope for City as they aim to get their season back on track?
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
City's performance against Everton was further disrupted by a sickness bug sweeping through the squad, with Kyle Walker missing the game due to a bout of flu. It's uncertain whether he'll be fit for Sunday's match. Alongside him, Ederson (knock), Matheus Nunes (knock), John Stones (ankle), and Jack Grealish (muscle) are all considered doubtful.
Meanwhile, Oscar Bobb (leg), Rodri (ACL), and Ruben Dias (muscle) are confirmed to be out. On a positive note, Nathan Ake, who was substituted against Everton due to fatigue, should be available for selection.
If none of the injured players are cleared to play, Guardiola's options for changes will be limited. However, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne could provide fresh legs in midfield, and there may be an opportunity for James McAtee to get some minutes as well.
For Leicester, Jordan Ayew made a positive impact against Liverpool, but his performance took a hit when he was booked for the fifth time this season, meaning he'll miss Sunday’s match due to suspension. He joins a growing list of absentees for the Foxes, including Ricardo Pereira (thigh), Mads Hermansen (groin), Wilfred Ndidi (thigh), and Abdul Fatawu (knee). Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is also concerned about the fitness of Jamie Vardy, who missed the loss to Liverpool due to a knock.
Vardy has a strong record against City, having scored nine goals against them in the past, but if he's not fit, Patson Daka is ready to step in and take his place
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Stolarczyk; Justin, Okoli, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Winks, Soumare; Decordova-Reid, Buonanotte, Mavididi; Vardy
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic; Savinho, Silva, De Bruyne, Foden; Haaland
EXPERT PREDICTION
Leicester City 1-2 Manchester City
Leicester's attacking efforts against Liverpool may have been short-lived, but Van Nistelrooy's team showed enough promise to suggest they could extend Man City's defensive struggles and break their scoreless streak at the King Power.
That said, Leicester's defense remains too vulnerable, and while City is going through a tough patch, we still believe the reigning champions will finish 2024 strong and head into 2025 on a positive note.
