Manchester City look to bounce back in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday as they travel to reigning champions Leicester City.
Following a 3-1 home defeat in the league last weekend vs Chelsea, Pep Guardiola‘s side drew 1-1 on Tuesday against visiting Celtic F.C. in their final group-stage match of the UEFA Champions League.
Now sitting four points behind Chelsea in the league table, the Citizens know they have to get a winning run going especially with some key fixtures coming over the month of December. Also, losing Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho to suspensions will also be an obstacle for the squad to hurdle over the next couple matches. Aguero, was handed a four-match domestic ban after earning a straight red card vs. Chelsea, while Fernandinho was given a three-match ban for his actions.
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Defender Nicolas Otamendi will also be missing Saturday’s fixture due to yellow-card accumulation. As for Leicester, they come into this match struggling in league-play.
Currently, sitting in 16th and only two points clear of the drop zone, Claudio Ranieri‘s team has to get it together before they fall deeper into trouble. The Foxes are win-less in league play since October 22nd, and have drawn twice and lost three since that time.
Key players Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez are both under-performing so far, while the defense has been average at best. Defensively, Leicester have allowed 24 goals over the opening 14 matches, nine more than Manchester City. They have been able to qualify for the Round of 16 in their first ever Champions League appearance, but have failed to consistently translate those results back to England.
Heading into tomorrow’s showdown, Pep Guardiola praised Leicester City to BBC Sport. “Maybe the (Leicester) players were so focused on the Champions League, the first experience in their lives, the travel, the music, everything. Sometimes you are not focused on the Premier League. But now they have qualified they have two months to focus on the Premier League. The players are there, the defensive structure is quite solid and the goalkeeper is really good. They have a lot of quality and I’m pretty sure they are going to come back to what they deserve.”
As the Citizens look to bounce back, we take a look at three things to watch for tomorrow’s road fixture.
1.) Look for Kelechi Iheanacho to start for the suspended Aguero.
With the Argentine striker out, Iheanacho seems the most likely to start at forward. The Nigerian started midweek and netted a goal eight minutes in against Celtic. He has started some big matches already, most numerously the 2-1 Manchester Derby win earlier this season. Iheanacho could use this time to prove to Guardiola that he is worthy of more time not only in the league, but in the Champions league too. He possesses a good left foot and is a stronger body than Aguero which could pose a mismatch for the Leicester back-line. He is still growing as a player and is truly the only other striker that Guardiola has right now.
2.) Expect John Stones and Alex Kolarov to start as CB duo.
Again, due to suspension look for these two to start in defense. Whether or not Guardiola goes with three at the back is another question that will be answered tomorrow. Kolarov brings valuable experience to the group and is a leader to the youthful Stones. The Serbian can hang back while Stones dribbles forward in attacks. With Kolarov sliding over, Gael Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta could see time at the wingback positions. These two need to be on their A+ game tomorrow, with Jamie Vardy and Islam Slimani attacking threats up-top.
3.) Attacking players need to be involved offensively.
Raheem Sterling is fit and could be included in tomorrow’s starting line-up, while Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva are expected to play. Whoever does start in attacking positions, needs to be ready to contribute. Manchester City need to score more goals and show the rest of the league that they are a true threat. Blowing out the Champions in their stadium tomorrow could send a huge message to the rest of the league that Guardiola has this team ready for anything. MC have better players and much more talent, and they need to show that!
Next: Manchester City, Pep should view Leicester City as a wounded animal
My prediction tomorrow is a 3-1 win for Manchester City which will see them bounce back in a huge way. A win tomorrow could set the tone for a busy month ahead which Guardiola’s men desperately need to do well in.
Be sure to check back for all the post-match opinion, recap, and news regarding MCFC!