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Citizens out for revenge against sly Foxes, Devils to clip Seagulls’ wings

Six months ago, the football world was shocked when Leicester went to Etihad Stadium and not only beat Manchester City – it pulverised the Citizens.

A Jamie Vardy hattrick and goals from James Maddison and Youri Tielemans saw the Foxes chalk up a 5-2 victory.

Riyad Mahrez and Nathan Ake scored the consolation goals for City.

But going into Sunday’s match (12.30am), Manchester City is a different unit and it can take a giant step towards regaining the Premier League title with a victory.

City is top of the pile with 71 points from 30 matches, 14 ahead of Manchester United and a further point in front of Leicester, both of which have a game in hand.

Its neighbour United, while not at its best at times, can continue its chase as it looks too good for Brighton (Monday, 2.30am).

Elsewhere, Arsenal hosts defending champion Liverpool on Sunday (3am) which is hoping to build on its recent momentum of two consecutive victories and clean sheets after a horrible run which makes qualifying for Europe a struggle.

Fourth-place Chelsea can cement its position as it has a relatively easy clash against West Brom on Saturday (7.30pm).

But it is the intriguing Leicester-Manchester City clash that has got people talking.

After Pep Guardiola’s worst start to his managerial career which saw City take only eight points from its opening five matches – including that 5-2 hammering – he has worked his magic once more.

The Spaniard called his quadruple chasing side – it is also in the final of the League Cup, semifinal of the FA Cup and quarterfinal of the Champions League – the “worst side he has managed” because it has yet to win a trophy.

Some say it is just mind games as City certainly have the players to win all four trophies.

With Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero announcing he is leaving at the end of the season, what better way to celebrate the club’s record scorer and longest-serving player than by creating history.

But Brendan Rodgers and Leicester will try to put City’s celebrations on hold for a little longer by masterminding a victory.

These two teams could also very well face off in the FA Cup final as City plays Chelsea while the Foxes take on Southampton in the final four.

United, meanwhile, has won its last five matches against Brighton – four in the Premier League and one in the League Cup earlier this season.

It should pack too much power against Graham Potter’s team, which badly needs a win to stay out of the relegation zone.

The Seagulls have 32 points from 29 matches and are 16th in the table, six ahead of Fulham which is 18th.

FIXTURES (Malaysian time)

SATURDAY

Chelsea vs West Brom (7.30pm)
Leeds vs Sheffield United (10pm)

SUNDAY

Leicester vs Manchester City (12.30am)
Arsenal vs Liverpool (3am)
Southampton vs Burnley (7pm)
Newcastle vs Tottenham (9.05pm)
Aston Villa vs Fulham (11.30pm)

MONDAY

Manchester United vs Brighton (2.30am)

TUESDAY

Everton vs Crystal Palace (1am)
Wolves vs West Ham (3.15am)