Pellegrini salutes high-flying Foxes

MANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini believes tonight’s opponents Leicester are flying high in the Barclays Premier League table on merit.

Pellegrini, whose side moved within three points of the Foxes by thrashing Sunderland 4–1 on Saturday, is acutely aware of the threat his opponents will pose at the King Power Stadium.

The Chilean said: “Leicester beat Chelsea and drew against Manchester United before losing 1-0 at Liverpool on Boxing Day. We must consider Leicester not thinking that they lost on Saturday and could collapse, but as a team that will have options to be fighting for the title until the end.

“They have been top of the table because they deserve to be. They have important players in a very good moment with high performance.”

Pellegrini’s oppostite number Claudio Ranieri has urged his players to enjoy their football and not be daunted by their place in the upper echelons of the table ahead of City’s visit.

Pressure will only increase as the second half of the season begins to tick down. Ranieri is keen to avoid a repeat of what he saw at Liverpool on Boxing Day, when his side was over–anxious.

“You know my idea about this (the title) – we are dreaming,” said the Italian.

“We are in excellent condition and in a good position with 38 points. Now we can continue, but I want to see my players enjoy it

City will be without skipper Vincent Kompany tonight. The influential Belgian’s comeback from a calf injury lasted nine minutes as a substitute against Sunderland before a recurrence of the same problem.