Game Week 31 Predictions: Manchester City to thump Leicester

Game Week 31 Predictions: Manchester City to thump Leicester at Etihad - Premier League Preview, Team News, Betting

If Pep Guardiola does start Erling Haaland against Leicester City on Saturday, don't put it past him to bag another hattrick against a troubled Foxes defense. (Photo credit: Inside Sport)

 Manchester City vs. Leicester City

Etihad Stadium

5:30pm

It’s the wrong time for any team to face a moving train, but Manchester City and Leicester City must do it the hard way if their fairytale stories in the Premier League will continue.

Brendan Rodgers was fired following a run of bad results, and Dean Smith has been hired to see out the rest of the season, and it’s important to ask: what version of Smith would be seen at Leicester?

The one that took Villa past top sides in the 2020-2021 season, or the one that lost steam and got Norwich relegated the following season after being sacked by Villa?

Manchester City beat Bayern Munich 3-0 in midweek, and while the return leg would be just three days away after the visit of Leicester, a convincing result gotten in the first leg means the Cityzens don’t have to rest players for their visitors.

That is not to say the reigning Premier League champions would disrespect the Bavarians; the priority remains in Europe, and trust Pep Guardiola to charge his lads to finish the job off in style, but Leicester City would be dessert before the main course.

Where does the hope of the foxes lie?

Miracles happen, but expect none of that at the Etihad on Saturday when Leicester visits; Harvey Barnes has been the leading light for the Foxes, and he’s unavailable due to injury. Where will the spark come from?

Manchester City can also afford to rotate and still have enough to pile goals on Dean Smith’s side without remorse, as they have done many times in the past. It’s the title run-in, and this is what Arsenal fans don’t want to hear.

City can’t be stopped easily on this form.

What can Leicester do? Show up and get beaten, nothing more.

There is quality in the Leicester squad, no doubt, but not enough to challenge City.

Does this mean the Foxes will go down? They’re odds-on now to be relegated to the championship, unless they get help from surrounding teams.

Verdict: Manchester City to destroy Leicester