Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Manchester City winger Jesus Navas has been ruled out for at least three weeks with a hamstring injury.
City are already without Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany, Samir Nasri, Eliaguim Mangala and Wilfried Bony, but Fabian Delph could return from injury.
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri will make a late call on whether new signing Daniel Amartey is ready to play.
The Foxes have no fresh injury worries, with only Jeffrey Schlupp and Matty James absent for the league leaders.
Editor’s Note: This is it, probably the biggest game of the season so far, 2nd plays host to 1st but this time around it’s not the usual combination of Manchester City/Chelsea or Arsenal it’s Leicester coming to The Etihad and sitting very pretty at the top of the table.
Leicester have defied the critics and logic for that matter as they continue to overcome any and every hurdle that has been put in front of them this season, the next week will really define whether they are in for the long haul or whether there valiant efforts will see them just fall short firstly they have to deal with a Manchester City that can’t quite title winning form under their belts.
Over the last 7 games City have won 4 and drawn 3 but in that period they haven’t managed to win two games in a row and it’s that form that sees Leicester with the advantage going into this game. On Tuesday City had Joe Hart to thank as Manuel Pellegrini’s were definitely short of their best but thankfully for them still managed to come away with all 3 points.
Every game between now and the end of the season City are going to be under the microscope as pundits will look to see if their levels have dropped now that Pellegrini isn’t staying after the end of season with Pep Guardiola the heir apparent, but then again it could have a positive effect in that his players go all out and aim to give him the perfect leaving gift.
One gift that Pellegrini currently has is a fully fit and firing Sergio Aguero it was his Goal which was the difference at The Stadium Of Light and with Kevin De Bruyne now out for a lengthy period of time the onus is going to be on Aguero even more to fire City to the Premier League title.
The same could probably be said about his opposite number Jamie Vardy whose brace against Liverpool on Tuesday was the difference as they maintained their 3 point gap at the top, it was Vardy’s stunning opener that rightfully grabbed all the headlines as debate on whether that or Dele Alli’s strike was the Goal Of The Season so far was discussed at will on Wednesday Morning
Again the partnership between Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez was key on Tuesday night, it was Mahrez’s sumptuous long ball which set up the England International and his outrageous volley just goes to show the confidence that not only Vardy but the whole Leicester side has right now.
The advantage is very much with Claudio Ranieri’s side between now and the end of the season as they only have the League to focus on they have 14 games left of their season where their titles rivals could end up playing almost double that amount.
If Leicester can avoid defeat this Lunchtime then their chances of the title come May are enhanced even more as they overcome another hurdle in what is already an incredible season. Whether they can though remains to be seen, I’m going to go for a City win and that will put them top of the table but there will be far too many twists and turns still to come. A home win for me.
