ANALYSIS KEY ISSUES FOR BLUES

SELECTION SURPRISE

Pep Guardiola loves to get heads scratching an hour before kick off with a surprise team selection, but here there is little room for imagination.

With 13 senior+9 players fit, as Guardiola claims, the teamsheet effectively picks itself with the only real selection decision to be which one of Phil Foden and Rodri to rest in midfield after both started against Wolves and Bournemouth.

Ideally, he’d rest Kyle Walker, too, after 180 minutes last week, but the lack of options at full-back remains a problem.

CHANCE FOR DELAP

One surprise would be to stick with Liam Delap up front in the absence of Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero. It would be a lot of pressure on the 17-year-old but he and Felix Nmecha are the only natural strikers available.

STOPPING VARDY

The last thing City’s depleted defence will want to see is Golden Boot holder Jamie Vardy on Sunday, but that’s likely to be the case. Whoever plays at centre-back will have a quality opponent to deal with, so any protection will be appreciated.

And that’s where Fernandinho can come in to reprise his all-action role from the Wolves game. Then Fernandinho acted as an extra centre-back when needed, before supporting the attack when City had the ball.

MORE FROM TORRES

Ferran Torres has only played 100 minutes for City, so it’s far too early to make any judgements on how he will fit into this squad. But in those two appearances his impact has been limited.

He’ll almost certainly be called upon to play some part against Leicester, and City can’t afford passengers. NEW CENTRE-BACK PAIR Aymeric Laporte is back in training, although Guardiola says he’ll need a bit longer to reach full fitness. Guardiola, though, likes a press conference red herring as much as a selection surprise, so could Laporte be in line to play some part? If he does, maybe fans will get a first look at Laporte and Nathan Ake at the back.