Leicester City welcome Manchester City to the East Midlands at the weekend, as it sees the return of the Premier League after the international break. Both teams sit on six points and are looking to be victorious.
Manchester City beat Arsenal with a thumping 5-0 last time out at the Etihad Stadium, while Leicester sneaked a 1-2 victory away from home against Norwich City.
Three games in, 7th meets 11th on Saturday, with both managers hoping they can clinch the three points to move into nine out of 12 for the season. Here is how both teams could line up:
Leicester City
Brendan Rodgers is hopeful that he will nearly have a fully fit squad going into the game, after struggles already with injuries this season.
In goal is likely to be the ever-present Kasper Schmeichel, who will face a tough test on Saturday. In a back four, it could be Ricardo Pereira, Jonny Evans, Caglar Soyuncu and Timothy Castagne. Evans could make his return after not playing since May, while Castagne could also start after his face injury.
In the midfield role is expected to be Wilfred Ndidi and Youri Tielemans. The pair have started all three games this season, with their spots not under threat at the moment. James Maddison is likely to start but hasn’t hit the ground running yet, as youth graduate- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall- is starting to knock on the door.
Looking to cause problems for the Man City back line, could be Harvey Barnes, Jamie Vardy and summer signing Ademola Lookman. Marc Albrighton scored last time out, but with the arrival of Lookman, the man on loan from RB Leipzig could make his Foxes debut.
Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Castagne; Ndidi, Tielemans, Maddison; Lookman, Barnes, Vardy.
Manchester City
Guardiola’s side remain without a few key players for the game, but with the squad depth that City have, it shouldn’t be a major problem.
Ederson may not able to play due to FIFA rules but the situation is still in the air. Zack Steffen is out with COVID-19, so the other option is 36-year-old Scott Carson. Carson has only made one appearance, last season against Newcastle United.
Ahead of the keeper is likely to be a back four of Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones and Joao Cancelo. Stones could return after being on the bench twice this season.
Making up a midfield three could be Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri. The trio have played in the past two games for the Citizens. The three have worked well together, with Guardiola likely to stick with the dominant midfield three.
With Gabriel Jesus possibly unavailable, former Fox, Riyad Mahrez could face his former club to get his first start of the season. Ferran Torres has been in fine form recently, and looks to start. £100 million record signing, Jack Grealish, is likely to start on the left.
Manchester City XI: Carson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Grealish, Torres.
Prediction
It will be a tricky match for Rodgers’ Leicester as they face the champions, but the Foxes have won their past two out of three games against the Citizens. With their most recent one, beating them to lift the Community Shield. Leicester will hope to put on a show for the home fans, and win all three points.