Manchester City welcome Premier League football to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday as they host a Leicester side that have made it back-to-back wins from their opening league fixtures.
Pep Guardiola’s men are a game behind the other sides in terms of Premier League action, having been given an extra week’s rest due to their Champions League exploits, although they did have the edge of the match in their opening league fixture against Wolves. showed no signs of deficiency.
Leicester have enjoyed a similarly productive start to the campaign, scoring seven goals and picking up maximum points from their two league outings against West Brom and Burnley.
Let’s take a look at our recent attacks against foxes! ??
⚽️ #GoalsOfTheDay
? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/ND9wf0DoBJ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 26, 2020
Someone’s unblemished league record had to go as the two faced off on Sunday afternoon.
When is kick off? Sunday, September 27
What time is kick off? 16:30 (BST)
Where is it played? Etihad Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event
The referee? Michael Oliver
Despite boasting an embarrassment of riches in terms of squad options, Guardiola finds himself in uncharted waters with a whole host of senior City players unavailable for selection.
Jesus will miss Leicester’s visit to the United / Stu Forster/Getty Images
Gabriel Jesus is the latest big name to be added to the club’s injury list, joining the likes of Nicolas Otamendi, Sergio Aguero, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo.
Meanwhile, Aymeric Laporte and İlkay Gündoğan have both denied testing positive for the coronavirus, although Guardiola has confirmed Kevin De Bruyne will be fit despite picking up a head injury in the Carabao Cup win over Bournemouth. .
Long-term casualty for the visitors Ricardo Pereira remains sidelined with a knee injury, although Jonny Evans’ return from suspension is a timely boost as stand-in centre-back Wilfred Ndidi is out for 12 weeks with an abductor injury. has been done.
Evans’ return is just what Leicester need with centre-back options limited / James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images
City of Manchester: Ederson Walker, Stones, AK, Mindy; RODRI, FERNANDINO; Foden, De Bruyne, Torres; Sterling
Leicester: Schmeichel; Castagne, Evans, Söyüncü, Justin; Perez, Mindy, Tillmans, Pratt, Barnes; uniform
Gotta be happy with that W! ?
Highlights of our opening 20/21 victory?
? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/EcPh0aDJ2e
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 21, 2020
City looked in fine form on their opening day in a win against a Wolves side who themselves got out of the blocks with a win against Sheffield United the week before.
Guardiola fielded an inexperienced starting XI for Thursday’s Carabao Cup clash with Bournemouth but De Bruyne and Sterling made second-half cameos, forcing a late call-up as City edged the Cherries behind. left
The Foxes also handed some of their fringe players some valuable game time in their cup clash with Arsenal on Wednesday, although the gamble didn’t pay off as they crashed out of the competition after a 2-0 defeat. However, the loss is unlikely to dampen spirits in the Leicester camp after back-to-back Premier League victories.
City of Manchester
Man City 2-1 Bournemouth (24/9)
Wolves 1-3 Man City (21/9)
Man City 1-3 Lyon (15/8)
Man City 2-1 Real Madrid (7/8)
Man City 5-0 Norwich City (26/7)
Leicester City
Leicester 0-2 Arsenal (23/9)
Leicester 4-2 Burnley (20/9)
West Brom 0-3 Leicester (13/9)
Leicester 0-2 Manchester United (26/7)
Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Leicester (19/7)
Jamie Vardy has his work cut out for him if Leicester are to take anything from their trip to City/Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
City’s squad is as close as they can get, and Guardiola’s decision to rest several of his key men in midweek looks wise as Leicester have an extra day’s rest compared to his side. Must have found.
However, finish or not City still have a host of match-winners and should have enough to secure the three points.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Leicester