IT’S THAT TIME of the year when Premier League games come thick and this one has all the potential to be a Christmas cracker.
Having led the title race, Leicester City were knocked off top spot on St Stephen’s Day as Christian Benteke scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool.
The Foxes are just a point behind Arsenal, however, and a win tonight would see them return to the summit.
Three points back in fourth place sit tonight’s opponents Manchester City, who put four past Sunderland on Saturday.
Both teams have been named and we’ll have them for you in a moment.
The home side make two changes with the experienced Gokhan Inler and Danny Drinkwater coming in for Shinji Okazaki and Andy King.
City, meanwhile, have been boosted by the return of Sergio Aguero, who takes the place of Wilfried Bony.
Leicester City: Schmeichel, Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Inler, Drinkwater, Kanté, Mahrez, Vardy, Albrighton.
Manchester City: Hart, Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov, Silva, Fernandinho, Toure, Sterling, De Bruyne, Aguero.
If you weren’t aware of the gulf in wealth between these two clubs, take a look at just how much both starting XIs costed.
“It’s a miracle for us,” says Claudio Ranieri in his pre-match interview. ”Half the season and we’re at 38 points, it’s a great achievement.
“City is building to win the Premier League and trying to win the Champions League and we have to fight with that. We’re three points ahead of them and it is unbelievable.
“We know we need to do the perfect match today. We have nothing to lose.”
Okay, call it…
Poll Results:
KICK-OFF: And we’re underway. Leicester wearing their traditional all blue, Man City in neon green change strip.
It has been a frantic start with both sides looking to unlock the opposing defence. No chances to report just yet, however.
A couple of balls over the top have put the Man City defence under pressure with Jamie Vardy snapping at their heels. We can expect to see plenty more of that as the night unfolds.
Raheem Sterling, sporting new dreadlocks, has been quite lively during the opening minutes — starting out on the left but popping up on the other side too as City have strung a couple of passages together to win a string of corner kicks.
Sterling feeds Sergio Aguero inside the box and the Argentine striker tries his luck but sees his shot blocked by Wes Morgan.
CHANCE! Sterling breaks away before cutting the ball back to De Bruyne. The Belgian makes good contact to shoot at goal but Schmeichel is equal to it.
Next it’s Leicester who attack. Mahrez picks out Kante and he attempts to find Vardy with the cross. Back to goal, however, Vardy is unable to make anything of the pass.
That’s more like it. Mahrez robs Kolarov of possession and drops a shoulder to go by two defenders and make room for the shot. The effort sails just over.
DOUBLE SAVE! Sterling volleys at goal and Schmeichel has to tip behind for a corner.
From the resulting set-piece, Sterling gains possession once again and fires a low drive on target. For the second time in quick succession, the Danish goalkeeper keeps it out.
More chances for City. Schmeichel saves from Sterling yet again, before Aguero drags a shot wide from 20 yards out.
WHAT A CROSS! Christian Fuchs whips a brilliant ball in but Marc Albrighton struggles to get onto the end of it at the back post.
Seconds later, Vardy is through on goal thanks to sloppy play from Man City but the in-form striker blazes over the bar.
Half-time: Leicester City 0-0 Manchester City
RESTART – The second half has just begun and there are no changes on either side to report.
City on the attack straight away and De Bruyne fizzes a trademark ball across the goal-line. Aguero makes his run to the front post and tries to flick it at goal but it’s just wide.
CLOSE! Vardy finds Kante and he drives forward before letting fly. The dipping shot whistles past Joe Hart’s post with the England goalkeeper stretching.
Mahrez with a nice through ball to Albrighton and the former Aston Villa man drags the ball across the goal.
Substitution – Off goes Sergio Aguero with Wilfried Bony on in his place.
Schmeichel then has to save from Otamendi and the resulting corner sees Leicester concede a free-kick after more pressure.
Kolarov takes out Mahrez and picks up a yellow card for his troubles.
And now Leicester make a change — Leonardo Ulloa in, Gokhan Inler out.
Will we get a winner? 15 minutes to go and it’s still goalless. Mangala has just been booked after crashing into Ulloa.
Fuchs launches the free-kick at goal and it’s batted away by Hart.
Another change – Andy King is introduced with Danny Drinkwater making way.
In a final throw of the dice from Manuel Pellegrini, Kelechi Iheancho takes Raheem Sterling’s place. A minute plus time added on to play.
Full-time: Leicester City 0-0 Manchester City
Richie de Laet replaces Albrighton but the final whistle goes seconds later and that’s that.
Otamendi was also guilty of an embarrassing dive in the closing moments.
