Leicester City vs Manchester City: What our visitors think?

Leicester City welcome league leaders Manchester City to the King Power Stadium on Saturday and to find out more about the home side’s chances we asked FanSided’s Man City Square Jason Bardwell what he expects.

Both teams head into Saturday’s game unbeaten in their last five, what do you make of Leicester’s chances?

"” I think it will certainly be a test for Manchester City. Last season, in the corresponding fixture, we lost 4-2. Going two goals down in the first five minutes was a sucker punch for us, and we had no (Sergio) Aguero, (Gabriel) Jesus or Leroy Sane to recover. This season you have a more defensive minded manager in Claude Puel and we have improved all over the field."

"“However, when we faced Puel’s former club Southampton away from home, we won comfortably. In that game, he played one up front, although Jamie Vardy is a more dangerous outlet than Manolo Gabbiadini, so our defence will have to be on their toes. We haven’t won at your place since 2014. I think the key to the game will be how condensed and organised your defence is and who we get in alongside John Stones to handle the Vardy threat. Playing the high line we normally do will be exactly what the Englishman will enjoy."

Leicester City either have Jamie Vardy up top on his own in a 4-2-3-1 formation which I expect manager Claude Puel to play or with Shinji Okazaki partnering the Englishman in a 4-4-2, what’s the most likely set up City will use and what do you think Leicester need to do to prevent the league’s top scorers?

"“Pep Guardiola  has always been good at throwing out surprises in an attempt to put opposing managers off. This season, while it has happened on a couple of occasions, he has a more visible starting eleven.“Injuries and suspensions aside, I think he might change it up a little for this. Obviously he’ll be sweating over captain Vincent Kompany, hoping he can recover. If not it’s a choice of either Mangala or playing Stones in the centre with Walker and Danilo either side.“If he chooses the latter then he may play Gundogan alongside Fernandinho, in order to pack the midfield. From there it will be the usual suspects, Raheem Sterling and  Sane wide with David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne in behind Aguero or Jesus up front.”"

Both sides boast incredible talents but what are the most interesting battles you’re looking out for?

"“Vardy’s pace against our defensive unit. Last season, in the 4-2 defeat (or win from your point of view), he tore apart our ageing defence. The combined age of our back four then, including the goalkeeper was 151! That’s an average age of a little over 30, even with the inclusion of John Stones helping to bring it down.“Now, it’s a different story. Our ‘set’ back four are now all under 30, with an average age of 26, and they are pretty comfortable  playing out from the back, which should help draw you out a little.”"

What Leicester City player do you see causing City the most problems?

"“Whenever we come up against ex players, they always seem to do well. For that reason I think Kelechi Iheanacho might kick start his Foxes career on Saturday. The same could be said for Kasper Schmeichel who was on our books for a while, but of course, if Puel allows Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Shinji Okazaki to do their thing, then they always pose a threat."

And finally, predictions? Are City going to follow recent trends or are Leicester City going to stop them in their tracks?

"“We are always good for a goal or three and you seem to always ship a goal. If we can get an early goal then it may force Puel to become more attacking and of course we have the pace and players to open you up.“As I said before, I expect Puel to be tight at the back, with long balls out for Vardy to chase, so the longer that goes on, the higher up we’ll press and the more space you will have in behind us. The difference could be Ederson, who likes to come far out of his area to nullify those threats. He got to a ball over the top before against Sadio Mane when we played Liverpool, but he was slow to  get to a similar ball against Romelu Lukaku in a pre-season friendly. Him in a foot race with Vardy with neither of them the type of player to pull out, could be interesting to see.”"