Leicester aim to foil Manchester City’s title plans

With two games left of the 2018-2019 league calendar, Leicester City travel to Manchester to face City aiming to become the best of the rest while last season’s champions are within touching distance of the title.

Hosts Manchester City have been locked in a title race with Liverpool for the majority of the season. The citizens are a point ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s men with the Foxes and Brighton standing in their way of a second title in a row.

Brendan Rodgers could be out for claiming his second win in a row against sides dubbed the ‘big six’. His Leicester side are three points off of Wolves in seventh. If City win the FA Cup then whoever finishes in seventh place will be in the Europa League qualifying stages next year.

Last time the two sides faced each other this matches away side Leicester came from behind to win 2-1 at the King Power. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring before Marc Albrighton equalised and Ricardo Pereira won the game with nine minutes to spare.

A player to look out for would be Jamie Vardy as the former England international has a lethal record when facing the ‘big six’. The former Fleetwood Town striker has scored 34 times when facing top opposition and will be looking to extend his tally to six maybe even seven when facing City.

Pep Guardiola’s side have an almost flawless record over the last six matches, only losing to Tottenham Hotspur who they have beaten twice since then. Their other wins came against Burnley, rivals United and Crystal Palace.

Despite being around for only eight games new Leicester boss Rodgers has a decent record winning five of those games. Most recently the foxes beat Arsenal 3-0 though the losses came at the hands of Newcastle and Watford.

City boss Guardiola gave his take on Rodger’s Leicester side since the Northern Irishman has taken charge:

“Before they were a counter-attack team, now with Brendan Rodgers they have another way to play, control all parts of the game.

“I think Brendan shows his quality as a manager, in just two months they are playing the way he wants to play. Everyone knows their position, incredible quality up front, so fast.

“Honestly I saw three games and really impressed, it’s an incredible task for us. It’s already a final and it’s the last game at home, hopefully the supporters will help us.”

Former Celtic and Foxes boss Rodgers added his bit on the title race:

“There is still a lot that can still happen these last few games and I only know too well about that.

“Three games to go and that is when it disappeared for us, but both teams have been absolutely brilliant.

“Man City were excellent in dealing with the situation of the derby game, especially in the second half, the level of the game was fantastic.

“Liverpool have been in the hunt, obviously they were seven points clear at the start of the season and they have fought really well.

“Both are top class teams. There is still a wee bit to go and only then can you reflect on it all at the end of the season.”

Fernandinho is the only doubt for the citizens as the Brazilian will face a fitness test to see if he has overcome his knee injury. Both Kevin De Bruyne and Claudio Bravo are long-term absentees.

Only Daniel Amartey will miss this match for Leicester as the Ghanaian’s broken ankle still hasn’t recovered probably.

Sergio Agüero is the top goal scorer for the hosts with 31 goals in 44 matches this season, the Argentine is also going for the golden boot and is one goal off of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

While it is a long shot Vardy could also get the golden boot, however it would require at least four goals in his final two games to get it. The 32-year-old has 18 goals in 34 matches for his side.