1 King Power meets road strength
Leicester may be finding their title defence challenging so far, but the Foxes’ home form is holding up. They have won three, drawn three and lost just one of their seven games at the King Power Stadium, and Claudio Ranieri’s men lost just one Premier League home game in the whole of last season. As strong as Leicester are at home, City have been brilliant on the road this season, picking up 18 from a possible 21 points. Something has to give…
2 City spirit
The last time City faced Leicester in the Premier League was one of the decisive moments of the 2015/16 campaign. The 3-1 win at the Etihad Stadium was the point when many Foxes fans stopped dreaming and started believing a 5000/1 title shot was possible. Saturday’s game isn’t another top-of-the-table clash as Leicester are in 16th place – but it could still prove important to City’s campaign. By the Bouncing back from last Saturday with victory at a tough ground would be a major statement for the 2016/17 race.
3 Squad strength
City have three important players suspended for the game with Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero ruled out after red cards against Chelsea and Nicolas Otamendi sidelined after picking up five yellows. There is plenty of quality to replace them, though, with striker Kelechi Iheanacho scoring on his return to the side against Celtic, and Fernando and Yaya Toure fit and firing in midfield. City have options in central defence too, with Aleks Kolarov capable of dropping in there. Who would you select?
4 Foxes limping after Porto loss?
So what should we read into Leicester’s 5-0 thumping at Porto on Wednesday? Well, in truth, not that much. The Foxes made 10 changes from the side beaten at Sunderland last weekend with Jamie Vardy, Robert Huth, Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani all rested. Many fringe players were given a chance to shine in Portugal and the team that faces City will bear little resemblance. Danny Drinkwater (suspended) and Kasper Schmeichel (injured) will not feature, however.
5 Buckle up for festive fixtures
The Premier League is about to go into festive overdrive, with six games in 23 days between Saturday and 2 January. The Leicester trip is quickly followed by Watford (h) and Arsenal (h), before clashes with Hull (a), Liverpool (a) and Burnley (h). If City can get on a winning run against Leicester it could make for a very happy Christmas!
