Jesus Navas ruled out for three weeks as injury crisis deepens
Manchester City vs Leicester City
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 12.45pm, Saturday 6th February 2016
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: J Collin, S Long Fourth Official: J Moss
Odds: City 8/13, Draw 17/51, Leicester 5/1
Tickets: Sold out
TV: BT Sport
Manchester City
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
Squad (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Clichy, Demichelis, Humphreys, Kolarov, Otamendi, Sagna, Zabaleta, Barker, Celina, Delph, Fernandinho, Fernando, Silva, Sterling, Toure, Aguero, Iheanacho
Injured: Nasri, Kompany, Bony, De Bruyne, Mangala, Navas
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: WDWDWD
Leicester City
Manager: Claudio Ranieri
Squad (from): Schmeichel, Schwarzer, Fuchs, Huth, Moore, Morgan, Simpson, Wasilewski, Albrighton, Amartey, Drinkwater, Dyer, Gray, Inler, James, Kante, King, Mahrez, Schlupp, Dodoo, Okazaki, Ulloa, Vardy.
Injured: James, Schlupp
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWDWDD
City are without six senior players for the clash with Leicester. Jesus Navas suffered a muscular injury in the midweek win against Sunderland, and joins Vincent Kompany, Wilfried Bony and Eliaquim Mangala on the sidelines. Samir Nasri and Kevin De Bruyne remain long term casualties. On a brighter note, Fabian Delph returns to the squad and is likely to be joined by youngsters Bersant Celina and Brandon Barker.
Just three points separate the two teams at the top of the table, but manager Manuel Pellegrini was keen to play down the significance of the clash.
“They have a very good squad with not many players injured. They play with the same team every week. They have less games than other teams but I think the merit of the squad is very important”, said Pellegrini.
“Maybe it’s not a team with a lot of possession but they defend very well with a lot of concentration and they counter-attack with a lot of speed. If you have the commitment of the players as a manager, that’s the most important thing.
“It’s not the biggest game of the season so far- we can win or lose this game and the Premier League will not end here. We have 39 more points to fight for. You cannot think you’re champion if you win and if you lose, there are lots more points.
“It’s a good game, a big game but not decisive.”
City's last home league game against Leicester ended in a 2-0 victory, with David Silva and James Milner getting the goals. Overall City have won 44 of the 94 games played against Leicester, with 24 draws and 26 defeats.
Prediction: City 2 Leicester 1