Manchester City v Leicester City : Big Match Preview

Manchester City face Leicester City at the Etihad knowing they must win to close the gap to second place.

Writing this Manchester City preview piece and it has become clear that trying to avoid festive based puns is proving particularly difficult. So, maybe we should just get them out of the way early doors. This game is a christmas cracker.

This is second versus third in the Premier League table and to be frank the only winner is likely to be Liverpool, who are busy sunning themselves in the Club Intertoto Trophy.

At least City should be free of any pressure as effectively the title is already out of their grasp. Instead, we are playing to get back into form and build some momentum for the cup matches to come.

More from Man City Square

• Rodri believes City can have even more success this season
• Grealish, Stones, and Kovacic will NOT play tomorrow
• My Manchester City UCL Group Stage predictions
• After Injury Guardiola is back in Etihad
• Phil Foden Scores Opener for England Against Scotland

This game pitches a leaky Manchester City defence against the best counter attacking team in the League. Given City struggled against both Wolves and United at home, this game is enough to put most fans into a panic.

Saying that, its probably got nil-nil written all over it!

Given we can expect a tactical set up from Rodger’s Leicester designed to exploit our weaknesses, it will be interesting to see how Guardiola reacts. Will we set up to frustrate their tactics or play our normal game?

Personally I am hoping for a repeat of the free flowing attacking which was on show in the first half against Arsenal last week. I think we need to protect our flimsy defence by playing two deep midfielders again, allowing De Bruyne to operate as a quarterback leading the plays.

As part of that set up I expect to see Foden again but hopefully with a better performance than midweek. The only real debate should be about who to start alongside Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling. Will Guardiola go with the work rate of Bernardo Silva or the creativity of Riyad Mahrez?

Anyway, this is a game I will look forward to. City are more than capable of winning and I expect nothing less than a solid performance and three points.

Predicted Starting XI

Ederson

Walker- Stones-Fernandinho-Mendy

Rodrigo-Gundogan-De Bruyne

Sterling-Jesus-Mahrez