Man City vs Leicester EPL Matchday 18 Odds & Pick: Pep Guardiola’s Side Heavy -250 Favorites
- Leicester and Man City will clash this weekend in a huge match at the top of the EPL table
- City currently trail the Foxes by four points heading into this weekend’s fixture at the Etihad
- Guardiola’s side are clear favorites at -250
One of the biggest matches of the year takes place this Saturday, December 21, at 12:30 pm EST as Manchester City welcomes the surprising Leicester City Foxes. Leicester currently sit ahead of the defending Premier League champions in second place with 39 points, while City has just 35. With City’s title hopes looking more non-existent by the day, they’re also in a fight for the second spot with Jamie Vardy’s high-flying Foxes. If Man City can capture all three points this weekend, they will trail Brendan Rodgers side by just one point.
Even though Leicester have been in outstanding form this season, Man City enter this fixture as clear-cut favorites at -250, despite already losing four times this season.
Man City vs Leicester City Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man City | -1,-1.5(-123) | -250 | Ov 3,3.5(-111) |
| Leicester City | +1,+1.5(+103) | +620 | Un 3,3.5(-109) |
| Draw | N/A | +370 | N/A |
Odds taken Dec 18
Man City Looking Better as of Late
Pep Guardiola’s squad have definitely experienced their ups and downs this term, already suffering four defeats from the likes of Man United, Wolves, Liverpool, and Norwich City. However, if the last three matches they’ve played are any indication of what’s to come, then City could be heading in the right direction.
They convincingly beat Dinamo Zagreb last week in Champions League play, then dominated a struggling Arsenal side last weekend, 3-0. Kevin De Bruyne was brilliant, netting two goals and setting up the other. In the League Cup on Wednesday, they also defeated Oxford. Three straight wins will definitely bring a sense of optimism to the club as they head into this crucial match on Saturday against Leicester.
Their key will be to stop Jamie Vardy from adding to his already impressive goal-scoring stat sheet, leading England’s top flight with 16 tallies. James Maddison must be contained in the midfield as well, proving to be one of Leicester’s most important players. Man City’s electric attack highlighted by Aguero and De Bruyne will need to whip up some magic as well on home soil.
Leicester Looking to Solidify Second Spot
Although it’s still very early in the season, the Foxes need a positive result this weekend at the Etihad if they’re going to lock down the second spot for the time being above Man City. Their backline has conceded a Premier League low 11 goals this year, even better than Liverpool’s world-class defense, who have let in 14.
7️⃣⚽️? @LCFC pic.twitter.com/o9dzlUQtv7
— Jamie Vardy (@vardy7) December 4, 2019
With Vardy on fire, he will definitely look to continue his torrid start by finding the net against a Man City backline that has looked vulnerable at times. Caglar Soyuncu will need to be sharp at center back as he has been, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, among many others, posing a threat in the final third.
Man City vs Leicester City Stats
| 11-2-4 | Premier League Record | 12-3-2 |
| 47 | Goals Scored | 40 |
| 19 | Goals Conceded | 11 |
| 576.1 (1st in PL) | Completed Passes Per Match | 436.6 (4th in PL) |
City is Best Bet
Although Leicester has been playing world-class football this year, Man City should feed off playing at home and come out victorious in this clash. However, I expect it to be a very close match, with Vardy scoring his 17th goal while City’s electric attack will find a way to sneak two past a very solid Leicester City defense.
Pick: City 2-1
Quinn Allen is a sports journalist, with a background and education in broadcast journalism (BCIT '17). He is a full-time associate editor at ClutchPoints by day, where he writes about soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and more. At night, Quinn is a frequent contributor at SBD.
