Raheem Sterling is the key to Manchester City versus Leicester

Manchester City attacker Raheem Sterling is the key to tomorrow’s match versus Leicester

Raheem Sterling has somehow managed to go under the radar as it relates to tomorrow’s Manchester City versus Leicester match. All of the talk has centered on Jamie Vardy and Sergio Aguero, but it’s actually Sterling who will be the key to determining the winner.

If Manchester City had their full complement of players available for this match, then perhaps Aguero would be their key. Unfortunately for Manuel Pellegrini, he will be short several of his normal attacking options. Both Kevin de Bruyne and Jesus Navas are assured of missing the match versus the Foxes.

In their absence, Leicester will be free to focus the majority of their defensive attention on Aguero. Certainly, the Argentine forward is one of the Premier League’s top danger men. He deserves that kind of focus from Leicester. I like the Foxes ability to at least limit his chances if their back four remain disciplined.

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The inevitable focus on Aguero, will leave room for City’s other attacking options to operate. That means the attacking burden will fall heaviest on Sterling and David Silva. Leicester will be happy to soak up City’s pressure and try to hit them on the counter attack. That means Silva will be allowed time on the ball, but that won’t bother Leicester in the slightest.

What should concern Leicester is Raheem Sterling’s ability to hurt them on the counter attack. This match has the potential to be a true end-to-end affair. If that happens, Sterling will represent City’s best chance to hit the Foxes when they commit too many men forward.