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Leicester City vs Manchester City Preview: Classic Encounter, Key Battle and More

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Premier League leaders Manchester City will put their unbeaten record on the line when they travel to Leicester on Saturday. 

The Foxes have a win and a draw from Claude Puel's first two games in charge but this is a major step up. 

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Pep Guardiola's City have taken 31 points from a possible 33 in the Premier League so far this season, scoring 38 goals in the process. 

Here is everything you need to know about one of the standout fixtures of the Premier League weekend.

Classic Encounter

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Manchester City arrived in the East Midlands in December last year having lost 3-1 to Chelsea the previous weekend, falling off the pace in the title race. 

Leicester were struggling and had been hammered 5-0 in Portugal by Porto the Wednesday before Guardiola's side came to the King Power. 

The out of form Foxes then produced a blistering 20 minute spell to kick off the game, Jamie Vardy scoring twice with Andy King also on the scoresheet. 

Vardy completed his hat-trick in the second half after a mistake by John Stones before Aleksandar Kolarov and Nolito added consolation goals for Manchester City, who dropped out of the top four.

Recent Form

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Leicester are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games. However, draws against Bournemouth and West Brom spelt the end for Craig Shakespeare. 

Michael Appleton oversaw the away win against Swansea and the Carabao Cup win over Leeds which set up a quarter-final against this weekend's opponents. 

Claude Puel's first game in charge was a 2-0 win over Everton before a 2-2 draw at Stoke before the international break.

Manchester City have opened up an eight point lead at the top of the Premier League after their victory over Arsenal before the international break. 

Key Battle


Harry Maguire v Gabriel Jesus


Leicester's summer signing has become a real hit with the Foxes faithful since he arrived from Hull. 

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Maguire's performances earned him an England call up and he was one of the standout performers in the Three Lions' 0-0 draw with Brazil on Tuesday.

One of the Brazil strikers Maguire stopped was Gabriel Jesus, who has seven goals in the 10 Premier League games so far this season. 

Prediction

It is hard to see Leicester repeating that fabulous victory from 11 months ago. Manchester City have looked imperious this season and Leicester's defence has been leaky on occasions. 

The Foxes can draw on encouraging performances in defeats away at Arsenal and Manchester United but this could well be the first setback for Claude Puel.


Prediction: Leicester 1-3 Manchester City

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