DBasia.news – The defending Premier League champions, Manchester City hosted Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium, Sunday (26/12) at 22.00 WIB on Week 19 which takes place the day after Christmas aka Boxing Day.
Man City are currently on top of the table with 44 points from 18 games, followed by Liverpool (41 points) and Chelsea (38 points). The match against Leicester could be an opportunity for City to widen the gap considering Liverpool’s match against Leeds United was postponed due to COVID-19.
Leicester also briefly postponed matches and experienced an inconsistent period after failing to qualify for the Europa League group stage. However, Pep Guardiola did not lower their vigilance at all.
“Leicester is still Leicester,” said Guardiola. “For me, they remain (have) a high quality manager, of course, with outstanding players in all departments. But sometimes, in the season, there are ups and downs. Maybe we are used to seeing Leicester up there all the time.”
“Hats (salute) off to how well this club is doing in many ways, signing players, adapting to many situations, but sometimes there are periods where they are inconsistent all the time.”
“It happens game by game, when you see the quality they have, anything can happen. I give them the same value and the same credit because, when you look at the quality they have, starting with the goalkeeping and finishing with (Jamie) Vardy, they were incredible.”
Naturally, Guardiola is wary as Leicester has put up a fierce fight when the two teams met last September when Bernardo Silva’s goal gave Man City victory.
Boxing Day for Both Clubs
Judging by the statistics, Boxing Day is friendlier for City who are unbeaten in eight home games when played on the day after Christmas. Moreover, they have won eight of the last 10 Premier League matches against Leicester.
Leicester, on the other hand, have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games on Boxing Day. Uniquely, it happened against Man City in the 2018-2019 season. One other minor thing is that Jamie Vardy has never scored in six Premier League games on Boxing Day.
With Leicester’s inconsistent form, as well as several players missing, it’s hard to see Man City lose or draw in front of their own fans.
“Leicester has put out a strong team at Anfield in the League Cup on Wednesday but ended up getting knocked out (against Liverpool), which sums up their season so far. Things didn’t happen for them.”
“On the contrary, Manchester City have won eight league games in a row and have found their rhythm, no matter who Pep Guardiola chooses. Leicester have done quite well against them in the past, but not this time,” predicts Lawro on BBC Sport.