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Leicester can out-fox the Citizens

It is a four-way battle for this season’s English Premier League title, and tomorrow night second-placed Manchester City entertain the underdogs that simply refuse to go away, leaders Leicester City. It is THE most important contest of the campaign so far, and TODAY columnist Adrian Clarke (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) picks out five things we need to keep an eye on …

Jamie Vardy (in blue) of Leicester City hopes to bring some of the same torment he unleashed on Liverpool on Tuesday to Manchester City tomorrow. Photo: Getty Images

Jamie Vardy (in blue) of Leicester City hopes to bring some of the same torment he unleashed on Liverpool on Tuesday to Manchester City tomorrow. Photo: Getty Images

It is a four-way battle for this season’s English Premier League title, and tomorrow night second-placed Manchester City entertain the underdogs that simply refuse to go away, leaders Leicester City. It is THE most important contest of the campaign so far, and TODAY columnist Adrian Clarke (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) picks out five things we need to keep an eye on …

RANIERI: CONFIDENT OR CAUTIOUS?

When they fought out a goalless draw in late December, Leicester showed too much respect. Fearful of City’s attacking midfield maestros, Claudio Ranieri changed his 4-4-1-1 formation to a 4-5-1, dropping a forward to accommodate an extra defensive midfielder, Gokhan Inler.

It did not work.

In matches at Etihad Stadium it is even easier for managers to go into their shell, and to focus on “protecting”, but that is not the attitude that has taken Leicester to the summit. If they retreat too much again and invite waves of home pressure, the 90 minutes will feel more like 900.

The Foxes would be advised to remember they have the pace and firepower to unsettle a Man City side that does not enjoy being pressured. By unleashing their now familiar high-octane style, without being too gung-ho, the table toppers could be rewarded.

EXPOSING YAYA

Outgoing boss Manuel Pellegrini has a blind spot where Yaya Toure is concerned. It does not seem to matter how often the Ivorian is left trailing in the slipstream of dynamic opponents, the Chilean continues to deploy him as part of a standard midfield two. Sadly, he just does not have the athleticism to keep up.

On paper a Fernandinho and Toure versus the in-form Danny Drinkwater and N’Golo Kante midfield duel is balanced. Both pairings have their merits. However, the two Foxes midfielders will look to push on and take Toure towards his own goal at every opportunity — and in those situations he has habitually waved the white flag and stopped running this season, leaving City a man light.

To alleviate this concern I would consider using Fernando (or Fabian Delph) with Fernandinho, pushing Toure into a position behind striker Sergio Aguero. That way you utilise his wonderful strengths, without offering up a glaring weakness to the opposition.

VARDY IS BACK

The mini-drought is over. Jamie Vardy is back at his whippersnapper, free-scoring best. Tormenting Liverpool’s markers, netting twice last time out, he constantly showed Reds defenders a clean pair of heels.

With the hosts likely to attack at will, bossing possession, turnovers and rapid counters will be crucial to Leicester’s chances.

When their best long-range distributors, Drinkwater, Christian Fuchs, Marc Albrighton and Riyad Mahrez seize on loose balls, they will not hesitate to fire long aerial passes in the direction of Vardy. Should City’s Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis let it bounce, or fail to drop off early enough, Joe Hart will be a busy man.

When they met at the King Power, Vardy’s explosive sprints showcased the speed advantage he has over City’s back four. If the leaders use that weapon properly, he is in sharp enough form to cash in this time. Manchester City must not leave space behind them.

TESTING THE BIG GUYS

Centre-backs Rob Huth and Wes Morgan are tall, lumbering, rather basic old-fashioned defenders; yet thanks to their wonderful resolve and resilience, any limitations have rarely been exposed this season.

Worryingly, Manchester City do have the type of players to dismantle them. Sergio Aguero’s slippery movement and general sharpness in tight areas make him the duo’s worst nightmare. So, when passes are slid down their sides, or in between them, I would put my money on the Argentine getting there first.

To beat the Foxes you must test the mobility of those defenders. If Aguero, Raheem Sterling and David Silva are allowed to dart into the penalty area unopposed, they all have the speed, style and trickery to unlock the door.

The key for Ranieri’s disciplined outfit is to keep the home side outside the box, for as long as they can. If this happens and Manchester City resort to hoisting hopeful crosses into the danger zone, his heroic central defenders will gobble them up all day.

DRIVING IN FROM THE FLANK

I see frailties down Manchester City’s left hand side. Gael Clichy or Aleksandar Kolarov are not watertight fullbacks and Demichelis is often a liability. Therefore, when Algerian magician Mahrez jinks inside from the right, game-changing moments might happen.

Pellegrini is also a coach who loves his back four to hold their line on the edge of the box (and they are masters at it), but in Mahrez the Foxes have a talent who is capable of slipping subtle little passes into the space for Vardy or the busy Shinji Okazaki to run on to. If they stay onside, it is a way for the Foxes to unpick the lock.

On the other wing, Albrighton does not get the credit he deserves, but he has delivered twice as many crosses as any other Leicester man this term. He also leads the way with “chances created”.

Should Man City allow him to cut inside and flight a stream of balls into the box, I would fancy Vardy, Okazaki or Mahrez to score from at least one of them.

PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY 2 LEICESTER CITY 2

Their last meeting may have been cagey, but I believe the shackles will come off second time around. There is too much ability and confidence on show for this to be anything but exciting. Based on recent form I cannot split them. These two on-song sides are likely to serve up a treat that is packed with goalmouth action.

BIG MATCH PREDICTIONS

Tottenham Hotspur v Watford

Heurelho Gomes was Watford’s hero against Chelsea, and the keeper will need to be at his best to deny former club Spurs too, who are in the midst of a lovely groove. It’s a big day for rookie defender Kevin Wimmer. He makes his home Premier League debut, and will have his hands full dealing with the twin threat of Deeney and Ighalo. How the Austrian fares may have a bearing on the result.

Prediction: Tottenham 2 Watford 1

Bournemouth v Arsenal

It’s a must-win match for the Gunners. A rotten run of results has left them playing catch-up, and a trip to the Vitality Stadium is sure to test their mettle. Bournemouth will start fast (they’ve scored eight times in the first 15 minutes) but if Wenger’s under-pressure side weathers the early storm, their superior quality should come through. They need to rediscover their shooting boots. Fast.

Prediction: Bournemouth 0 Arsenal 3

Chelsea v Manchester United

Two fluent, dare I say exciting displays have given Manchester United fans hope that all is not lost after all, and they will fancy a win at Stamford Bridge. On current form, Martial v Ivanovic, Mata v Mikel and Rooney v Zouma are all match ups that suit the visitors. Chelsea are improving, and Diego Costa is close to his snarling best, but I see a sixth draw in eight league games for Hiddink. No one will want to give way.

Prediction: Chelsea 1 Manchester United 1

TV LISTINGS

Tomorrow

Manchester City v Leicester City

Singtel TV Ch 102 & StarHub TV Ch 227, 8.45pm

Tottenham v Watford

Singtel TV Ch 103 & StarHub TV Ch 228, 10.55pm

Stoke v Everton

Singtel TV Ch 104 & StarHub TV Ch 229, 10.55pm

Newcastle v West Brom

Singtel TV Ch 105 & StarHub TV Ch 230, 10.55pm

Swansea v Crystal Palace

Singtel TV Ch 106 & StarHub TV Ch 231, 10.55pm

Aston Villa v Norwich

Singtel TV Ch 107 & StarHub TV Ch 232, 10.55pm

Liverpool v Sunderland

Singtel TV Ch 102 & StarHub TV Ch 227, 10.55pm

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