The busy Boxing Day in English football returns this year and with almost a full list of Premier League fixtures, arguably the biggest sees Manchester City make the trip to the East Midlands to face Leicester City.

STATS

• Leicester will be disappointed with their lack of taking opportunities this season so far despite currently sitting 9^th almost at the halfway stage. Following a poor run in the league where they had won just one of their last six, they picked up a huge result at the weekend, beating Chelsea 1-0 away from home. That was a result that possibly kept Claude Puel in his job and he'll need another.
• Manchester City began their title defence brilliantly but after their loss to Chelsea three weeks ago, they have fallen away from league-leaders Liverpool slightly. And, after just one win in the league after that defeat, they were beaten again at the weekend as Crystal Palace overcame them 3-2 at the Etihad to inflict a damaging loss, the Citizens really need a response against Leicester.
• Jamie Vardy’s recurring groin injury has really affected the Foxes but he is still their leading scorer with six league goals, including the winning goal at Stamford Bridge.
• For yet another season, Man City have two players near the top of the top goalscorer charts as both Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling are in contention for the Golden Boot with eight and nine goals respectively.

HEAD TO HEAD

Although Man City have won each of the last five meetings between the two in all competitions, Leicester tend to get on relatively well against them at the King Power Stadium. Two of those losses came on penalties in the Carabao Cup including the most recent a week and a half ago. Before that run of five matches, the Foxes went three without a loss against City which included two consecutive wins, one of which at home where a Vardy hat-trick led to a 4-2 win. There tends to be goals when they meet in the league as there have been over 2.5 goals in four of the last five Premier League meetings and both teams scored in each of those games.

LEICESTER CITY NEWS

With an unlikely victory on Boxing Day, Leicester can move up to 7^th in the table. They have been lucky on the injury front over the last few weeks as only Matty James and Daniel Amartey are unavailable with two long-term problems.

Latest matches: Leicester City

22.12.2018	Prem	Chelsea FC	Leicester City	0:1	W
18.12.2018	EFL	Leicester City	Manchester City	2:4	L
15.12.2018	Prem	Crystal Palace	Leicester City	1:0	L
08.12.2018	Prem	Leicester City	Tottenham Hotspur	0:2	L
05.12.2018	Prem	Fulham FC	Leicester City	1:1	D

MANCHESTER CITY NEWS

The visitors can’t go back to the top with three points but they can maintain the pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Fernandinho and Vincent Kompany face late fitness tests ahead of the match whilst David Silva and Benjamin Mendy are unable to be picked.

Latest matches: Manchester City

22.12.2018	Prem	Manchester City	Crystal Palace	2:3	L
18.12.2018	EFL	Leicester City	Manchester City	2:4	W
15.12.2018	Prem	Manchester City	Everton FC	3:1	W
12.12.2018	UEFA	Manchester City	1899 Hoffenheim	2:1	W
08.12.2018	Prem	Chelsea FC	Manchester City	2:0	L

SUMMARY

Man City are certainly favourites to win the game away at Leicester but it won’t be easy with their lack of form and sometimes weak record against the Foxes. The hosts have struggled to score in recent weeks, therefore, backing under 2.5 goals might make sense but they are so unpredictable, it’s a tough one to call.