Who: Leicester Metropolis vs Manchester Metropolis
What: English Premier League
The place: King Energy Stadium, Leicester, United Kingdom
When: 12:30pm (12:30 GMT) on Sunday
Comply with Al Jazeera’s reside textual content and picture build-up and commentary stream.
Pep Guardiola insists he won’t stroll out on troubled Manchester Metropolis as he strives to cease the champions’ gorgeous decline.
The Spaniard, whose facet go to Leicester Metropolis on Sunday, solely not too long ago signed a two-year contract extension however Metropolis’s dismal type has raised questions on his future. A nightmare run of nine defeats in 13 games, with only one win in that woeful spell, triggered options the Metropolis boss may resolve to give up if he can not discover a solution to his crew’s issues.
Having led Metropolis to 6 Premier League titles previously seven seasons, nonetheless, Guardiola is adamant he nonetheless has the starvation to show the state of affairs round.
“I’ll strive, I’ll preserve going. Typically you suppose the dangerous run can be ended earlier or it could be simpler to repair it, however it takes extra time,” he advised reporters within the run-up to Sunday’s match. “I cannot quit. I wish to be right here. I wish to do it and, with the state of affairs that we’ve, we’ve to do it.
“After all, I need it, everybody desires it. I don’t wish to disappoint my individuals when it comes to the membership, the followers, the individuals who love this membership. I feel all of us in our job wish to do it nicely and please the individuals. That’s plain, not a query mark.
“The most important check is to return again once more, however we’ve finished that earlier than.”
Guardiola received’t criticise in Metropolis disaster
Accidents have been a significant component in Metropolis’s decline, leaving them languishing in seventh place within the Premier League.
Most particularly, the gaping gap left by Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, as he recovers from a long-term knee injury. Nor have issues been helped by the erratic type in an inconsistent season by the normally prolific Erling Haaland, who missed a penalty that might have sealed a Metropolis win towards Everton of their final match.
Haaland has scored simply as soon as in his final seven video games, however Guardiola refused guilty the Norway striker or any of his teammates.
“I don’t have it in my schooling to begin complaining, to level at individuals. It’s occurred, it’s life, it’s soccer, so let’s strive it once more,” he mentioned.
“That’s why we’ve had success, as a result of all the time it’s by no means sufficient, we’ll strive it repeatedly and once more. That’s why we received numerous titles.
“Each three days it was a sport and win, win, win for a lot of, many months and years. Now, we’ve to do the identical when outcomes usually are not good.”
Loads of motion ⬆️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yumQgXPdfA
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 28, 2024
Metropolis nonetheless have doubts concerning the health of a number of gamers as they bid to get again to successful methods at struggling Leicester, who’ve received solely considered one of their final 11
“Typically you may have accidents,” Guardiola mentioned. “For what number of years we had been extremely constant however now, sure, we’re slightly bit down and the principle purpose is having so many essential gamers injured.
“However I noticed the crew spirit, how we skilled this week, how centered they’re, how they attempt to practise.”
Leicester Metropolis crew information
Jordan Ayew, who’s suspended after the ahead was booked for the fifth time this season throughout the defeat by Liverpool in Leicester’s final outing.
Captain Jamie Vardy ought to be match to return from a minor knock, however Wout Faes misses out once more in defence.
Man Metropolis crew information
Lengthy-term absentee Rodri was joined on the sidelines by Ruben Dias, John Stones, Ederson, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Matheus Nunes for the 1-1 draw with Everton.
Head-to-head
That is the 128th assembly between the golf equipment, of which Metropolis have received on 64 events, whereas Leicester have come away the spoils following 32 of the encounters.
Metropolis have received the final 5 league conferences, scoring 10 objectives within the final three of these, whereas Leicester may solely break up that run with a Group Protect victory following the 2020-21 title-winning season.
Leicester’s final league win got here in that marketing campaign with a 5-2 victory at Metropolis, and included a hat-trick from Vardy. The reverse sport at King Energy Stadium resulted in a 2-0 scoreline that gave Metropolis the three factors and started their present dominant streak over the Foxes within the league.
The place do your facet presently sit?#FestiveFixtures pic.twitter.com/AT9MZPPnz2
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 28, 2024
