Pep Guardiola prepares for his 500th match as Manchester City manager, urging his players to respond positively after a challenging run. Facing Leicester City, Guardiola aims to turn around the team’s fortunes amidst recent struggles.
Pep Guardiola expressed frustration following Manchester City’s draw with Everton. He urged his team to maintain a positive outlook as they prepare to face Leicester City. This upcoming match marks Guardiola’s 500th game managing the Citizens, making him only the second manager to reach this milestone. Despite this achievement, City has struggled recently, securing just one victory in their last 13 matches across all competitions.
On Boxing Day, Manchester City was held to a 1-1 draw by Everton. Erling Haaland had a penalty saved in the second half, which added to their woes. Although they remain seventh in the league standings, teams below them are closing in. Guardiola has previously celebrated his 100th, 200th, and 300th wins with City but drew his 400th game. He emphasized the importance of mental resilience during challenging times.
Leicester City is also facing difficulties after slipping back into the relegation zone. They suffered a third consecutive defeat with a 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Thursday. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team is now one point behind Wolves, who moved ahead by defeating Manchester United. Jordan Ayew, who scored against Liverpool, acknowledged their tough situation but remained optimistic about their prospects.
Jordan Ayew has been a standout for Leicester City this season. His goal against Liverpool was his fourth in the Premier League this season. The Ghanaian last scored more in a single campaign during the 2019-20 season when he netted nine goals. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland started strong for Manchester City with ten goals in his first five Premier League games this season but has since struggled.
Haaland has managed only three goals in his last 13 matches, underperforming his expected goals (xG) by a total of 5.2 during that period. His missed penalty against Everton marked the first time he failed to convert from the spot in the Premier League; previously, he had scored 15 penalties and hit the woodwork once.
Match Prediction and Historical Context
Manchester City is predicted to win against Leicester City based on recent performances and historical data. They have won their last four Premier League away games against Leicester without conceding any goals. However, they have lost seven of their last eight away games across all competitions after being unbeaten in 21 road matches before this streak.
Leicester has lost 11 of their last 13 Premier League meetings with Manchester City and hasn’t kept a clean sheet against them in their previous 15 encounters. Despite these challenges, Leicester has only lost their final league game once in the past five calendar years.
The Opta win probability suggests Manchester City has a 66.3% chance of winning against Leicester City, while Leicester’s chances stand at 14.9%, with an 18.7% probability for a draw.
As both teams prepare for this crucial match, Guardiola’s milestone game adds an extra layer of significance to the encounter between these two sides striving for better results in their respective campaigns.