Marquee Matchup: City looks to slow Leicester's Cinderella campaign

For both teams, Saturday's marquee matchup is the first of two games that could be pivotal in their respective charges for the Premier League summit.

Host Manchester City follows the visit of Leicester City by welcoming Tottenham eight days later. Considering the wealth of talent at Manuel Pellegrini's disposal, less than six points won against these shock contenders would be deemed a disappointment by many.

The Foxes complete their stint on the road at Arsenal on Feb. 14, hoping that Arsene Wenger's outfit continues to stutter in its trip to an adventurous Bournemouth side on Sunday. Tipped by many as certainties for the drop, Claudio Ranieri's players are shooing away the naysayers' predictions with startling work rate and incredible killer instinct.

Injuries and suspensions

Eliaquim Mangala is nearing fitness after a hamstring issue and could make his first appearance in a month. Long-term absentees Vincent Kompany, Kevin De Bruyne, Samir Nasri, and Wilfried Bony will be kept company in the treatment room by Jesus Navas, who left Tuesday's victory at Sunderland early clutching his hamstring.

Leicester City's medical team has had a satisfyingly lax workload this season, but will have to make a late decision on the fitness of defensive-minded Daniel Amartey, the £5-million buy from FC Copenhagen. Matthew James continues to work his way back from a serious knee injury, while Jeffrey Schlupp is sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Projected lineups

Manchester City starting XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Demichelis, Kolarov; Delph, Fernandinho; Silva, Toure, Sterling; Aguero

Leicester starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Inler, Kante, Albrighton; Vardy

What to watch

Leicester's usual swarming and pressing in the midfield will be on show as it has throughout the campaign, but Jamie Vardy - likely to be utilised in a solitary role similar to the one he assumed in the reverse fixture on Dec. 29 - will be hounding the back four. City's defence hasn't been convincing lately, and the central pairing of Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis have been culpable for a few errors. Expect the Argentinian centre-halves not to be given many opportunities for a breather.

Last time the two sides met, Ranieri set up his midfield with three scrappers in the middle: Gokhan Inler plugging the centre between the usually flawless N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater. Inler could again be given the task of shielding the back four but, in his stead, Amartey could be handed a surprise debut.

Much of City's attacking threat predictably lies with Sergio Aguero, but what happens behind him is anybody's guess. The usual depth is lacking, though, as Navas is set for a layoff after his midweek substitution, joining De Bruyne on the sidelines.

One option could be to push Yaya Toure forward, bringing his brute strength to the toes of defenders Robert Huth and Wes Morgan, while pulling him out of the pace and panache of the opposition's attacks from midfield - an aspect he appears to not have the legs or mindset for at times.

It should be an enthralling fixture in Eastlands, with City fans expectant of a victory. But against Leicester, which is revelling in its role as a party pooper, it could be yet another twist in what's been a fascinating top-flight narrative.