Title race may be easier for Leicester – Pellegrini

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini concedes Leicester City may have an advantage in the Premier League title race due to their lighter fixture schedule.

The Chilean recognises City’s quest for the quadruple will see the games pile up.

Every time he’s got over his injuries and them come back, people say, “He doesn’t look as sharp as he did last season”, but then when he gets his full match fitness back again, he delivers outstanding goals.

The Citizens’ 1-1 draw at Upton Park last time out in the Premier League means that they have won only one of their last eight league road games and Sunderland have won fivePremier League home matches against Manchester City – only versus Stoke City (6) have they won more often.

Manchester City have been rocked by the knee ligament injury suffered by forward Kevin de Bruyne which soured their Capital One Cup semi-final win over Everton last week, with the Belgian set to be out until around April.

The France worldwide is eagerly anticipating the League Cup final, the return of the Champions League and the usual grill of Premier League games in the month ahead as he strives to help City bring more silverware to Etihad Stadium.

“If you ask me if I want to be still in all four competitions, then the answer is yes, but if you are saying if it is easier when you play fewer games then maybe”, he said, in a pre-match interview for their fixture against Sunderland. “So if we win the next two games it’s probably impossible to have been better”. “We have to decide”, added Pellegrini.

Saturday’s defeat, rounded off by Raheem Sterling’s goal, left bottom club Villa to focus on their survival bid.

Former Lorient defender Lamine Kone and fellow new arrival Wahbi Khazri are available after receiving global clearance and they, along with striker Dame N’Doye, will hope for debuts.

“Hopefully, yes”, he said.

As far as betting is concerned, I think that they most profitable play is to take Manchester City with a handicap. I think we’ve been really solid defensively, which I think is really important. “I’ve got some details but it’s not for me to reveal it to tell you”.