After a draw against Burnley, Manchester City will hope to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Leicester City at home in the Premier League this Saturday. The Foxes had a decent start to 2018 under Claude Puel but are winless in their last two games which includes a stalemate against Swansea.
Games against Leicester have never been easy for the Sky Blues. In the last five outings between the two sides, City have won three and lost two. Leicester’s style means Man City will have to be wary of the opposition on the counter.
Pep Guardiola’s side have also been handed a few injury blows in recent weeks, and with the Champions League coming up next week, we could see a few rotations that’ll give the opposition side hope of pinching something from the game.
Here’s how City could line up for the clash…
Defence
Aymeric Laporte’s acquisition at the back will add more solidity to the defence in the long run. While it’s a bit too early to expect a lot from him, his price tag will inevitably make him the scapegoat if the defensive performances aren’t good enough. He is expected to start alongside Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the defence.
The left-back has been a problematic player for City again this season but for different reasons. Although Benjamin Mendy is one of the best left-backs in the world, his long-term injury has meant City have ended up deploying a makeshift left-back. Fabian Delph was doing a decent job but his injury means Danilo could once again start on the left. Kyle Walker is expected to start on the opposite flank. Éderson will start in goal.
Midfield
Fernandinho could start as the holding midfielder. The Brazilian has managed to squeeze in a few goals of late and will have to keep the likes of Vardy and Iheanacho in check. David Silva is unlikely to be risked, so Kevin de Bruyne will once again be the creative outlet for the team.
Ilkay Gundogan started the last game but we could potentially see him getting an extended time out for the Champion League tie. Yaya Toure could get the nod alongside De Bruyne in the midfield.
Attack
Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling will be expected to start as Guardiola simply doesn’t have too many options right now. However, expect Brahim Diaz to get a chance in the second half. Sergio Aguero is expected to lead the line for the league leaders.