Dias, Rodri, Tielemans and Vardy miss out on Leicester and Man City combined XI
A lot has changed since the last time these two sides faced off. When Leicester romped to a 5-2 victory at the Etihad in September questions started about Pep Guardiola's long-term future at City. Had the Spaniard taken the club as far as he could? Were the players starting to tire of his methods? Fast forward six months and City are sitting pretty atop the table, just five wins away from their third league title in four years. They are 14 points clear of their closest challengers and City's players are starting to dream of the quadruple. They have only conceded 16 goals in the subsequent 28 league matches. It's been some turnaround for Guardiola's side.
As for Leicester, they are motoring along nicely and could even met City in the FA Cup final. Brendan Rodgers is doing a wonderful job in charge of the Foxes and has them well positioned for a top four finish. Leicester suffered an end of season collapse last term so nothing is certain but they are seven points clear of fifth with nine games to go. Many would expect that gap to close this weekend with Leicester playing City but they have already shown they can go toe-to-toe with Guardiola's side this season.
Ahead of Saturday's tantalising match-up, we have put together a combined XI of the two teams of all available players with more than 10 league appearances to their name. City of course dominate the XI but there are some interesting head-to-head battles that need closer inspection. Kasper Schmeichel has been in superb form for Leicester this season and edges Ederson in goal, while Wesley Fofana beats out Ruben Dias at centre-back alongside a resurgent John Stones. Many believe Wilfred Ndidi is the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League and he gets in ahead of Rodri, who has been superb this season in fairness. Indeed of players to have made at least 10 Premier League appearances this season, Ndidi averges the most tackles and interceptions combined per game (6.1).
Leicester's James Justin would have made the team had it not been for injury but his absence at least paves the way for Timothy Castagne. Dias' omission will no doubt be the biggest talking point. City's big money signing has been credited with turning their defence into one of the best in Europe, though many of his better attributes are difficult to quantify. Positioning and organising cannot be factored into a stats algorithm and part explains his absence. Fortunately, both Stones and Fofana are handy stand-ins. Both have surprised for different reasons this season.
Stones looked finished at City prior to this season but has really flourished alongside Dias. In fact, Stones has nearly scored as many league goals himself (4) than goals City have conceded (6) during his time on the pitch this season. Meanwhile, Fofana has barely put a foot wrong in his debut season in England at the age of just 20. Claude Puel thought he got Saint-Etienne a bumper deal for Fofana in the summer but now he looks a bargain at £30m.
Youri Tielemans deserves a mention for a standout indivudual campaign this season. The Belgium international has been immense for Leicester this term, particularly in the big matches, but unfortunately comes up against Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne in his position. The former is the seventh best rated player in the league this season, with De Bruyne third.
Against only Arsenal (11) has Jamie Vardy scored more goals than in matches with City (9) in his career but the veteran striker misses out up front after a relatively disappointing campaign. To think Leicester are third in the league and Vardy has not been at his best for most of the campaign. Vardy does have 12 league goals this season but half of those have come from the penalty spot. In fact, ex-City striker Kelechi Iheanacho has as many non-penalty goals as his strike partner this season despite only starting eight league games all season. Neither make the side, nor do City strikers Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero. Instead, Raheem Sterling takes up a central position with Phil Foden and former Leicester star Riyad Mahrez flanking.
