Leicester are enjoying a Premier League revival following a run of three wins in five games, though the Foxes’ new-found momentum could be stopped in its tracks by Manchester City today. Pep Guardiola’s charges have their eyes on top spot and victory in today’s early kick off would catapult the champions to the division’s summit.
You can find our stats pack for today’s lunchtime kick-off below, complete with info on cards, corners, xG, shots, shots on target and more from the teams’ Premier League campaigns so far. As per the usual routine, use our research and my Stats Pack Guide to construct better bet builders for the game.
Lineups
To cope with City’s devastating attack, it appears Brendan Rodgers has adopted 5 at the back, although Amartey or Soyuncu could venture forward into midfield.
Wilfred Ndidi, Ricardo Pereira and Ryan Bertrand are all in the treatment room for Leicester at the moment.
Jamie Vardy finally broke his duck for the season when he scored off the bench at Wolves last time out and the 35-year-old could start here as a result.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden are both unfit and don’t feature today.
Ederson, Aymeric Laporte and Kevin de Bruyne were all on the bench in Germany, though that high-profile trio return to the XI today.
Team Stats
Leicester look like they are finally finding some form in the Premier League, though they will need a string of good performances to give their underlying stats for the campaign a more positive sheen.
The Foxes are still conceding more goals (2.00), shots (12.75), shots on target (4.58) and corners (6.00) against than they are mustering at the other end. Against Wolves last week, they lost the shots battle 21-5 but somehow managed to win 4-0.
Manchester City’s figures for the campaign are heavily dusted with title-winning numbers. Their 3.27 goals and 2.32 xG goal hauls per 90 are the league’s best, while only Liverpool have been racking up more attempts.
Only three clubs in the league have drawn more cards per 90 minutes than Pep Guardiola’s serially-fouled Cityzens (2.36).
Player Shots and Shots on Target
James Maddison (3.02 shots per 90) and Harvey Barnes (2.52) remain the jewels in Leicester’s crown from an attacking perspective, though Youri Tielemans (0.97) also showed his worth against Wolves last week with a stunning strike from the edge of the area.
When Leicester last played Man City in December 2021, Maddison clocked up a massive six attempts, three of which tested Ederson.
Apex predator Erling Haaland dominates both the shots (4.50) and shots on target (2.45) metrics per 90 for Man City in the Premier League this season and the Norwegian lodged two attempts on target and three overall against Brighton last weekend.
Today we’ll have to look at other value in Julian Alvarez (2.86 SOT p/90), Kevin de Bruyne (2.61 SOT p/90) and Ilkay Gundogan (2.32 SOT p/90).
Player Goals and Assists
Leicester playmaker James Maddison scored his sixth Premier League goal of the season against Wolves last week, while Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes notched their second and fourth respectively in the same rout.
Jamie Vardy finished the game at Molineux with a goal and an assist and the 35-year-old has been providing a goal contribution every 127 minutes overall this term. Not bad for a player losing his edge.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden have scored 23 goals between them so far, with the next bests only notching 2 a piece.
Kevin de Bruyne buried a peach from long range against Brighton a week ago and the Belgian needs just one more assist to break double figures for the campaign.
Leicester Cards
James Maddison has been Leicester’s card king this season (five) and while the fiery schemer is always a candidate worth considering, we think new returnee Caglar Soyuncu could be one to watch as he gets back up to pace.
Elsewhere, Belgian centre-half Wout Faes could be an option. He ranks near the top at Leicester for fouls committed per 90 (1.5) and he picked up his first caution of the season against Wolves last week.
His compatriot Timothy Castagne (1.1 fouls p/90) could also be in for a taxing afternoon against foul-magnet Jack Grealish.
Kevin de Bruyne (fouled 1.67 times per 90) has been a fountain of creativity for City this term and Leicester’s Soumare will be tasked with trying to limit his influence through any means possible.
Jack Grealish (fouled 3.41 p/90) is still one of the league’s most-kicked players and backing his marker to get booked in any game is always worth a punt. Today, Timothy Castagne is the marker in question.
More centrally, it will be interesting to see how Wout Faes copes with Julian Alavarez.
Match-Ups to watch
Wout Faes vs Kevin de Bruyne
Timothy Castagne vs Jack Grealish
James Maddison vs Joao Cancelo
Manchester City Cards
Manchester City have only collected a paltry seven cards in 11 fixtures this season giving them the Premier League’s cleanest record and as such, it’s always tricky identifying card potential in their ranks.
Joao Cancelo (2 cards) and Rodri (2.00 fouls per 90) are generally your best options in most City games, however, and if Leicester can muster some counter attacks today, that duo will be first in line to break the Foxes’ momentum.
Swiss defender Manuel Akanji can look nervous at times and he has already climbed up to second in the list of City’s most potent foulers this term, despite starting just a handful of games.
James Maddison (fouled 2.63 times per 90) is Leicester’s star performer and he could target the spaces in behind a dynamic left-back in Cancelo.
Harvey Barnes (fouled 1.32 times per 90) has the speed of foot and of thought to be a nuisance down the left and Manuel Akanji could be drawn into making a tactical foul or two against the winger today.
A rejuvenated Jamie Vardy, fresh from netting his first goal of the season, could be a handful this afternoon and the centre-forward’s energy could unsettle Rodri.
Match-Ups to watch
Joao Cancelo vs James Maddison
Rodri vs Jamie Vardy
Manuel Akanji vs Harvey Barnes
