Game Week 19 predictions: Foxes dare champions at the Etihad

Kasper Schmeichel will lead the Foxes to the den of the champions on Sunday, how will they fare? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Manchester City vs Leicester City
Etihad Stadium
4:00pm

It’s the boxing day instalment of the English Premiership, the traditional festive season games are in full swing and clubs know just how crucial points are over this period.

Manchester City are in their full stride now and this is the period where they hit top gear and never look back, at this stage last season the Cityzens were 8^th on the log, took laws into their own hands and went on a run that relieved Liverpool of their title, they seem to be in the mood again.

Leicester City would feel they hit the self-destruct button at Anfield on Thursday when they led 3-1 in the Carabao Cup and lost the lead very late on to a Takumo Minamino goal to force the game into penalties where Luke Thomas and Ryan Bertrand missed to send Liverpool through.

Leicester City aren’t the same this season, they’re several places and at least fifteen points worse off than they were at this stage last season, they’re used to starting well and tailing off at the end but they would have to reverse that this time with a shaky first half.

Manchester City are on top of the league and after watching Liverpool cede some advantage against Tottenham last weekend, Pep Guardiola and Co will take their chances to go further clear on the table with the Kops’ game against Leeds called off.

The Foxes shocked the champions at the Etihad last season, Brendan Rodgers’ side rammed five past Ederson, and that was the first time ever that a Guardiola side would concede five in any game across the leagues he’s managed in.

Dewsbury-Hall is becoming a revelation for Leicester City, he is to the Foxes what Phil Foden is to the champions, he’s now a mainstay in the midfield at the King Power Stadium, how well would he fare against Manchester City?

The Cityzens can afford to rotate despite not playing Carabao Cup games at this stage for the first time in four years in midweek, will the trio of Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus return upfront or will Guardiola refresh things with the introduction of Foden or Jack Grealish?

The last time the two met in the league, a Bernardo Silva master class settled it as Guardiola's side ran out 1-0 winners at the King Power Stadium, Leicester will do more than they did on the day to alter that on Sunday.

The hosts over the years have enjoyed Boxing Day fixtures and Leicester will have to come correct from start to finish to earn a point here, a win would help the Foxes to 8^th and depending on surrounding result, their season could very well start from here but first, they must endure the champions.