Premier League leaders Leicester City face yet another test to their title credentials when they clash with second-placed Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in today’s early kick-off.
Manchester City kept the pressure up on the Foxes on Tuesday when they beat Sunderland away but Leicester were again impressive as forward Jamie Vardy struck twice in a 2-0 win over Liverpool.
Young Kelechi Iheanacho has been added to the Manchester City squad for the second phase of the UEFA Champions League following his fine showings of late.
The Nigerian striker has eight goals from just seven starts, a statistic that has left his manager, Manuel Pelligrini, facing a conundrum as to which player to leave out for the second phase of the European campaign.
In the end, the injured Samir Nasri was left out.
It is now official that Pellegrini will be replaced by Pep Guardiola next season.
Pellegrini said he was satisfied with Manchester City’s recent progress but feels Leicester’s fixture calendar could help them in the race for the title.
The City boss concedes that Leicester, who are out of the domestic cups and don’t play in Europe, may have an advantage because of their less complicated schedule.
The Citizens, meanwhile, are still involved in four major competitions, having also reached the final of the League Cup.
Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester have only lost twice in 24 matches this season.
They are currently three points ahead of Manchester City and five better off than Tottenham and Arsenal. The Foxes’ next match after today is a trip to the Emirates to face the Gunners.
Meanwhile, despite reaching the last 16 of the FA Cup, Chelsea are still stuttering in the Premier League.
The same applies to Chelsea’s opponents Manchester United tomorrow, albeit the latter showed signs of revival in their last match after beating Stoke City 3-0 at home.
In the first round, at Old Trafford, Chelsea and United cancelled each other in a 0-0 draw.
Chelsea skipper John Terry announced last week that this will be his last season at Stamford Bridge although boss Guus Hiddink later said the club was still keen to discuss a possible contract extension with the centre-back.
Matt Miazgo and Alexandre Pato are latest newcomers in the Chelsea squad, becoming Hiddink’s first major signings since replacing Jose Mourinho.
Miazgo, a defender, has joined from New York Red Bulls while Pato moved to Chelsea on a six-month loan deal from Brazilian club Corinthians.
In the last 10 league clashes between Chelsea and United at Stamford Bridge, the Blues won six times to United’s one.
2015: Chelsea-United 1-0
2014: Chelsea-United 3-1
2012: Chelsea-United 2-3
2012: Chelsea-United 3-3
2011: Chelsea-United 2-1
2009: Chelsea-United 1-0
2008: Chelsea-United 1-1
2008: Chelsea-United 2-1
2007: Chelsea-United 0-0
2006: Chelsea-United 3-0
After the home 0-0 draw against Southampton, Arsenal travel to Bournemouth looking to revive their title aspirations after dropping to fourth place in the standings.
Arsene Wenger has confirmed reports that Tomas Rosicky picked up an injury on his first team return at the weekend, but denied midfielder Jack Wilshere had suffered a setback in his recovery.
After their win at Norwich, third-placed Tottenham play hosts to Watford at White Hart Lane.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is out to disprove the theory that titles cannot be won with young players.
He has combined youth and experience to create a squad that stands five points off the top of the Premier League with 15 games to play and reached the fifth round of the FA Cup following Saturday’s 4-1 win at Colchester.
“It is a topic in football. We need to try to demonstrate that it is not true,” Pochettino, whose side have also reached the Europa League knock-out stage, said.
UK football fixtures...
Premier League
Aston Villa-Norwich City
Liverpool-Sunderland
Man. City-Leicester City 13.45
Newcastle-West Brom
Southampton-West Ham 18.30
Stoke City-Everton
Swansea-Crystal Palace
Tottenham-Watford
Tomorrow
Bournemouth-Arsenal 14.30
Chelsea-Man. United 17:00
Standings: Leicester 50; Man. City 47; Tottenham, Arsenal 45; Man. United 40; West Ham 39; Southampton, Liverpool 34; Watford, Stoke 33; Everton 32; C. Palace 31; Chelsea, West Brom 29; Bournemouth 28; Swansea 26; Norwich 23; Newcastle 21; Sunderland 19; Aston Villa 13.
The Championship
Birmingham-Sheffield Wed.
Bolton-Rotherham
Burnley-Hull City
Cardiff-MK Dons
Charlton-Bristol City
Fulham-Derby County
Leeds-Nottm Forest
Middlesbrough-Blackburn
Preston-Huddersfield
QPR-Ipswich Town
Reading-Wolves
League One
Burton-Bradford City
Chesterfield-Peterborough
Crewe-Rochdale
Gillingham-Swindon
Oldham-Blackpool
Scunthorpe-Doncaster
Sheffield Utd-Wigan
Southend United-Colchester
Walsall-Millwall
Tomorrow
Barnsley-Bury 16.00
Fleetwood-Shrewsbury 16.00
Port Vale-Coventry City 15.00
League Two
Bristol Rovers-Wimbledon
Cambridge-Dagenham
Carlisle-Acc. Stanley
Exeter City-Oxford United
Mansfield-Morecambe
Newport-Barnet
Northampton-York City
Notts County-Hartlepool
Portsmouth-Leyton Orient
Stevenage-Crawley
Wycombe-Luton Town
Yeovil-Plymouth Argyle