Is Saturday's Etihad clash a mere battle for second place?
After their swashbuckling 3-0 victory at The Emirates, it’s hard to believe that was the display of a Manchester City side 14 points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
And yet here they are, out of the title race, facing a Leicester side who look like Liverpool’s only credible title challengers at this stage – and even they are 10 points behind Jurgen Klopp’s men!
I’ll say off the bat that 2/5 for a Manchester City win is paltry. Considering Manchester United beat them at The Etihad (and not just beat them, but comprehensively outplayed them), as well as Wolves in October, the value is certainly on the Foxes’ side at 7/1, but with Brendan Rodgers playing a strong XI in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Everton, there are a few question marks as to how they’ll perform on Saturday off the back of it. My gut, however, says it’ll make little different.
What I’m very sure about is that both teams will score. Manchester City looked devastating going forward against Arsenal—Kevin de Bruyne in particular put on a masterclass—and while Leicester have kept more clean sheets (7) than any other side in the league, I don’t think it makes a difference. The hosts will score.
However, only Wolves and Manchester United have prevented Leicester from scoring this season, and when you consider Pep Guardiola’s side have just one home clean sheet in their last eight at The Etihad in all competitions, you’d be brave to bet against Jamie Vardy and co. finding the net.
I believe BTTS is a tad overpriced, and I’m going to whack 2.5pts into it.
At 2/1, I fancy Jamie Vardy to score at any time.
Vardy’s record against the Premier League big boys, and his record against Manchester City (five goals in nine matches), is absolutely not to be sniffed at.
While the Englishman hasn’t scored in his last couple of Premier League games against Saturday’s hosts, the form he’s shown this season is on another level to anything he’s dished up thus far in his incredible career.
2/1 is worth a little nibble.
Follow @RyanEJourno
