Prediction and odds for the game: Manchester City (2/9) vs Leicester (11/1)

We are backing over 3.5 goals scored at odds of 6/5

When: Sunday 26 December 2021, Kick-off 15:00

Where: The Etihad Stadium

On Boxing Day, Manchester City host Leicester at the Etihad Stadium, as the hosts look to maintain a healthy lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Manchester City

The Citizens have really hit form of late in the Premier League, recording wins in their last eight games in the English top-flight table. A 4-0 win at struggling Newcastle last time out means that Pep Guardiola’s team has now scored 11 goals in their last two league matches.

While City have been explosive in attack in recent leagues, they have also managed to keep three straight clean sheets in the Premier League. That is not a surprising stat considering that City has the best defence in the English top-flight.

City have won their last four league matches at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 11 goals and conceding just once in the run.

The men from Manchester cannot afford complacency though, as they are still only three points clear of north west rivals Liverpool, who have been a similarly rich vein of form of late in the Premier League.

Leicester

The Foxes have work to do if they are going to challenge for the top-four spot, as they have done in recent seasons. Brendan Rodgers team are down in ninth-place in the table and trail fourth-place Arsenal by a massive ten points. However, the Foxes do have two games in hand on the Gunners due to Covid-19 postponements in recent weeks.

Leicester have found victories difficult to come in recent months in the English top-flight, as the visitors have won just twice in their previous seven league matches. A 4-0 win over relegation-threatened Newcastle in their last outing was a much-needed three points for the Midlands outfit.

The game also saw Leicester keep their first clean sheet in 15 top-flight games. The only other clean sheet of their league campaign came on the opening day of the season in a 1-0 home win against Wolves.

The Foxes away form has been poor in recent months, as they have won just two of their last nine league matches on their travels in the top-flight. The visitors haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 15 away games in the Premier League.

Conclusion

Manchester City are just so difficult to play against at the minute and we believe that there is only one winner in this clash. However, as with most City games, there is no value in backing them.

Instead, we are looking at the goals market and backing Raheem Sterling to be an anytime goalscorer. The England international has scored in his last three league appearances. The other bet we are backing is over 3.5 goals scored, as the Foxes have been woeful in defence this season, while City are lethal in front of goal.

Our Tips: We are backing Raheem Sterling to be an anytime goalscorer at odds of 6/5 and/or over 3.5 goals to be scored at the same odds. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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Will Manchester City boost their title chances or will the Foxes cause a shock at the Etihad Stadium?