Pep Guardiola announces Manchester City will bounce back despite massive slump

Pep Guardiola has confidently declared that “Manchester City will be back” after a run of one win in 13 games sent their season into turmoil.

City they will be hoping to rediscover their spark on Sunday against Leicester, live on Sky Sports, after another frustrating result for the ailing champions at home to Everton on Boxing Day.

They at least avoided the embarrassment of a 10th defeat in 13 games in all competitions, but the two points conceded left them 14 behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.

With just one win since October, it's been a huge fall from grace for Guardiola's once-successful side

Guardiola said: “I have been, since I reached my career as a football player, as a manager, I think that all of us, in our work, for the people who please, want to do our job well. . That's not a question mark, I'd say.

“So, it's easy to understand. The biggest test when things go badly. The biggest test I've done.

“We will come back and that's how it happened already. But that makes me remember how good the past was. That's the truth.

“Maybe now I know what we did. Because you get hurt sometimes and how many years we were so amazing, so consistent, you know?

“And the main reason is that seven, eight important players are injured. And after every three days, it's harder.

“But I see the team, the spirit, how good training was yesterday (Wednesday), how focused they are in everything we try to practice, how, you know , try to do it.

Manuel Akanji too still confident City will turn the corner before the trip to relegation-threatened Leicester.

The Switzerland international said: “We have to keep working and the next opportunity is in a few days. There is nothing else we can do right now. We are trying everything.

“We've had a lot of injuries, so it's not easy at the moment, but even now we'll find a way and come out of this and luck will be on our side again.”

Jones knows to predict: No relief for Pep

Sky Sports pundit Lewis Jones:

How bad must Leicester be if Manchester City are 1/3 with Sky Bet to win despite winning just once in their last 13 games?

Also, since the start of November, Guardiola's men have conceded 26 goals in all competitions – in that time, FC Heidenheim 1846 (28) are the only team from Europe's top five leagues to have conceded more.

It's amazing.

But punters are still happy to back them to win football games with huge odds it seems.

I can leave them alone even though Leicester have faced the most shots, shots on target and conceded the most goals since December 3rd, which was the first game at Ruud van Nistelrooy in charge.

It didn't make much of an impact – in fact, they might just become easier to score against.

In terms of betting, however, you only need to bet against this City defense keeping a clean sheet and Leicester have scored in all but one of their 10 home games this season. – this season. Both teams should score and over 2.5 goals to land at 4/5 with Sky Bet.