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Manchester City Fantasy Fan View v Leicester

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Written by City Watch

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Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has opened up about adapting to life in the Premier League after the 20-year-old completed a £29m move to the Etihad Stadium in January.
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has opened up about adapting to life in the Premier League after the 20-year-old completed a £29m move to the Etihad Stadium in January.
Preview

Manchester City will look to continue their 15-game win streak away at a revitalised Leicester City on Saturday.

The free-scoring Blues face a potential banana skin when they go up against Claude Puel’s team, who have won four out of six points since his appointment.

Leicester won 4-2 in this fixture last December, but City will not want to replicate last season’s winter blues that ultimately destroyed their title challenge.

READ MORE: How to win money playing fantasy football with Yahoo Daily Fantasy

Key battles

Vardy v Danilo/Walker

With Nicolas Otamendi suspended, Pep Guardiola must change his winning defensive formula that has only conceded seven goals in nine games.

A full-back seems the most logical option to partner John Stones, with Vincent Kompany injured, Tosin Adarabioyo vastly inexperienced and Eliaquim Mangala out of favour.

Both Danilo and Kyle Walker possess the pace and strength to keep a dogged Vardy from spearheading the fierce counter attacks synonymous with Leicester’s 2015/16 title triumph.

However, the Foxes’ talisman has only scored once in his last five Premier League games, so he will be desperate to improve his tally and impress his new manager.

Simpson v Sane

Leroy Sane has contributed to a record 11 Premier League goals so far this season (six goals and five assists), and the German will be key to the end product of City’s possession.

Danny Simpson must prevent Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva’s defence slicing passes from reaching Sane’s diagonal runs that often result in a selfless assist or a back post finish.

Leicester’s back line will be prepared after being reminded of their defensive responsibilities at Stoke City two weeks ago, where they drew 2-2 after conceding both goals from winning positions.

Who to pick

With Sergio Aguero a doubt for the game, Gabriel Jesus (£23 on Yahoo) appears City’s guaranteed starter and could front the Blues devastating attack alone.

In the three games Aguero missed through injury between 29 September-17 October, Jesus scored three and assisted once, proving his potential to be a solo frontman.

On the back of scoring his third goal in three games for Brazil last Friday, his confidence will be sky high whether Aguero joins him in the starling XI or not.

The 20-year-old also faced England at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday so will be fresh to start after only having to make the 156 mile journey north.

READ MORE: Three forwards you need in your fantasy football team in Gameweek 12

Who to avoid

Avoiding any City player in their current run of form seems strange, but not picking Fabian Delph for this one does make sense.

City may concede goals with Stones playing alongside a new centre-back partner and their style facilitating Leicester’s counter attacking threat.

Delph doesn’t attack like City’s natural full-backs and certainly doesn’t possess the stature to pose a threat from corners, so he will be less likely to make up for any goals conceded with goals or assists.

With the England international registered as a midfielder on most formats (including Yahoo), Delph may not even receive points for a clean sheet, a long term problem with picking Guardiola’s latest experiment.

Who to watch

Ilkay Gundogan made his international return with two starts and an assist for Germany this international break, and expect the 27-year-old to rack up direct contributions in the Premier League as he gets back to peak fitness.

After being plagued by injuries since joining City, Gundogan has been unable to cement a regular spot in Pep’s starting 11, leaving his price incredibly low (£14 on yahoo) for his ability.

However, the German playmaker will get his chance more regularly as the busy winter period sets in, so get ready to throw him into your team.