Leicester v Manchester City: match betting preview, prediction & free tip

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Leicester v Manchester City in the Premier League.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 5.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Manchester City
2pts 3-4 general
Riyad Mahrez to score first
1pt each-way 7-1 bet365

Team news

Leicester City
Wilfred Ndidi and Papy Mendy are out injured, while Hamza Choudhury is suspended.

Manchester City
David Silva is a doubt and Raheem Sterling is out with a hamstring injury. Leroy Sane remains on the sidelines but Oleksandr Zinchenko is back from suspension.

Leicester v Manchester City match preview

Manchester City put their off-field uncertainty to one side when taking apart West Ham on Wednesday and they take a big step towards wrapping up second spot in the Premier League with victory over Leicester at the King Power Stadium.

The Citizens were rocked by news last week that they could be hit with a two-season ban from European competition, but it was business as usual at the Etihad as they eased four points clear of Leicester with a bloodless 2-0 win.

Pep Guardiola’s men were far more dominant than the scoreline suggests. The relegation-threatened Hammers lost the shot count 20-3 and were limited to only six touches in City’s area.

City looked undeterred by the financial bombshell hanging over them and there is no reason to think it will affect their performance.

Victory for the Citizens would move them seven points ahead of the Foxes with 11 games to go and that breathing space will allow Guardiola to switch his attention to this season's Champions League.

This may be the perfect time for them to head to Leicester, who have won only one of their last five league encounters.

The Foxes have suffered defeats against Southampton and Burnley and been held to draws by Chelsea and Wolves since the turn of the year and their dip in form has coincided with the goal drought of talisman Jamie Vardy.

The England speedster has not scored in eight appearances - his last goal came in December’s 3-1 defeat at the Etihad - and without him firing Leicester’s winning chances look slim.

However, Brendan Rodgers has bigger concerns.

Injuries to Wilfred Ndidi and Papy Mendy and the suspension of Hamza Choudhury leave Leicester without a naturally defensive-minded midfielder.

Rodgers may revise his formation but any changes he makes could nullify their attacking threat.

Creative midfielders James Maddison and Youri Tielemans may have to drop deeper in order to regain possession and that would leave Vardy more isolated.

Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 trip to Real Madrid will be a factor in Guardiola’s team selection, but they have the squad depth to cope with the situation.

Riyad Mahrez was an unused substitute against the Hammers and the tricky winger, a likely starter, could come back to haunt his former side.

Mahrez bagged City's opening goal in the reverse fixture and he was a standout performer with his speed and dribbling regularly exposing Ben Chilwell in one-on-one situations.

The Algerian ace has grabbed seven goals from just 14 league starts this season and could represent each-way value in the first goalscorer market.

Key stat

Leicester have conceded ten goals in their last five home Premier League games.

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