Rob Pollard@RobPollardMCFC
Media Watch: Rodri key man v Leicester
City face Leicester tomorrow, just three days after beating West Ham 2-0 at the Etihad.
Men's Team
City enjoy record-setting night against West Ham
It’s a crucial top-of-the-table clash, with both sides focused on Champions League qualification.
The press have had their say this morning…here’s the best of the previews.
Opinion
Squawka: Leicester v City predictions, team news and possible XIs
Steve Jennings writes: “Man City are bound to have most of the ball against Leicester, but that will only happen if Rodri is on song – and in fairness, he rarely isn’t.
“The Spaniard opened the scoring against West Ham on Wednesday, proving he is more than just the metronome in Guardiola’s machine.
“But, of course, his distribution from deep areas is his most important asset. Rodri will have to be cautious of the Leicester press if Man City are to gain control.
“Key stat: Only Virgil van Dijk (1898) has made more successful passes than Rodri in the Premier League this season (1675)."
Predicted lineups
Sports Mole: Preview – Leicester v City
Matt Law writes: Leicester will be without the services of Hamza Choudhury following the midfielder's red card against Wolves, while Nampalys Mendy and Daniel Amartey are still on the treatment table.
Key midfielder Wilfred Ndidi will also again miss out with the knee issue that has ruled him out of Leicester's last two Premier League matches with Chelsea and Wolves.
Dennis Praet could therefore come into the team in central midfield, but it is otherwise expected to be the same XI that started last time out with James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy all in the side.
As for Man City, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and David Silva are all unavailable, but Oleksandr Zinchenko could return having served a one-game domestic suspension.
The fact that the English champions will take on Madrid next week means that Guardiola is expected to shuffle his pack for this match, with Joao Cancelo and Riyad Mahrez both expected to feature.
Fernandinho could also return in central defence with Aymeric Laporte, who has only just returned from a long-term knee injury, likely to be rested ahead of the trip to the Bernabeu.
Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero should both keep their spots in the final third, while Guardiola is also expected to resist the temptation to rest De Bruyne.
Leicester possible starting lineup: Schmeichel; Ricardo, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell; Perez, Tielemans, Praet, Maddison, Barnes; Vardy
Man City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Cancelo, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Zinchenko; Gundogan, De Bruyne, Rodri; Mahrez, Aguero, Bernardo
View from the opposition
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers: "Man City are a great team but they have to feel your aggression and when you get the ball you have to have quality.
"We were too passive [in the game at the Etihad in December]. That was pretty clear.
"We got a great start but we didn't press the game well enough."
That’s all for this morning’s Media Watch – but stay with us throughout the day as we bring you all the latest City news ahead of Saturday’s big game.
Friday Gossip
posted on 21/2/20
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 2 hours, 40 minutes ago
I’m in hospitality tomorrow with my father in law, should be a good game
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoy melts. I will probably catch 2nd half on sky after work
posted on 21/2/20
comment by LEE1PEN (U6707)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 2 hours, 40 minutes ago
I’m in hospitality tomorrow with my father in law, should be a good game
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoy melts. I will probably catch 2nd half on sky after work
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any chance you, Melton, Ripley, Grated, Boris, Manc, Kam, 65...et al could start posting on legends again. Just don't want to deal with the Caroline Flack killers on here.
posted on 21/2/20
comment by Ashtonianblue (U12469)
posted 42 minutes ago
comment by LEE1PEN (U6707)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 2 hours, 40 minutes ago
I’m in hospitality tomorrow with my father in law, should be a good game
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoy melts. I will probably catch 2nd half on sky after work
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any chance you, Melton, Ripley, Grated, Boris, Manc, Kam, 65...et al could start posting on legends again. Just don't want to deal with the Caroline Flack killers on here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ash never really posted on legends. Send me a link and will check it out.
posted on 21/2/20
I will be in St. Augustine meeting my best mate whom is a City Blue! Win or lose we still booze!
Nothing game to be honest but hopefully it will be better than watching West Spam the other day!
I mean no one is going to catch us at this stage..... All being well we will both be in the CL next season!
posted on 21/2/20
comment by LEE1PEN (U6707)
posted 3 hours, 5 minutes ago
comment by Ashtonianblue (U12469)
posted 42 minutes ago
comment by LEE1PEN (U6707)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 2 hours, 40 minutes ago
I’m in hospitality tomorrow with my father in law, should be a good game
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoy melts. I will probably catch 2nd half on sky after work
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any chance you, Melton, Ripley, Grated, Boris, Manc, Kam, 65...et al could start posting on legends again. Just don't want to deal with the Caroline Flack killers on here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ash never really posted on legends. Send me a link and will check it out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://606bluemoonlegends.forumotion.co.uk/
Wensdi and PPLF post there.
posted on 21/2/20
comment by Ashtonianblue (U12469)
posted 6 hours, 1 minute ago
comment by LEE1PEN (U6707)
posted 3 hours, 5 minutes ago
comment by Ashtonianblue (U12469)
posted 42 minutes ago
comment by LEE1PEN (U6707)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 2 hours, 40 minutes ago
I’m in hospitality tomorrow with my father in law, should be a good game
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoy melts. I will probably catch 2nd half on sky after work
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any chance you, Melton, Ripley, Grated, Boris, Manc, Kam, 65...et al could start posting on legends again. Just don't want to deal with the Caroline Flack killers on here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ash never really posted on legends. Send me a link and will check it out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://606bluemoonlegends.forumotion.co.uk/
Wensdi and PPLF post there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Remember it now, wasn't this the site Vince set up quite a few years ago? Have tried to get on, it recognises my name but have forgotten password. May have to redo
posted on 22/2/20
yes lee it is the site vince set up I am still on it also.
posted on 22/2/20
It's just that, with everything going on, I'd like some reasoned debate and comment on it all from fellow blues without having the trolls trash every thread.
posted on 22/2/20
I'll try and log on there today too ashtonian
posted on 22/2/20
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
I'll try and log on there today too ashtonian
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good lad. You're wasted on here. Don't know how you stretch your patience so far.