BBC Leicester Sport

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Should they win Saturday's game at The Etihad, Leicester would put a six-point gap between themselves and Manchester City.

Is it the biggest game of their season so far?

"Every match is the biggest test for us. The name of our opponent is not important," Ranieri said. "They have to win. We have to enjoy and win. That's the difference."

BBC Leicester Sport

So, Claudio, who are the favourites to win the Premier League?

"The others. Not Leicester...

"If they push a little more in acceleration they go. We have to run a lot. Manchester [City] are built to win the title, fight for the Champions League."

BBC Leicester Sport

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Claudio Ranieri is clearly enjoying life as manager of the Premier League leaders. He was pictured glad-handing punters at a local market on Wednesday and is clearly not feeling the pressure of being in a title race.

"I am a lucky man to be here," he said. "I'm happy. We have a good squad. We tried to replace [striker] Andrej Kramaric, It wasn't possible. It's ok."

BBC Leicester Sport

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It's time now for the always entertaining musings of Claudio Ranieri...

The Leicester City manager was asked first about Jamie Vardy, and the Italian responded with this somewhat fanciful claim about the England striker's opening goal against Liverpool on Tuesday.

"It's amazing, you can put [the goal] with Van Basten, amazing goal. I don't know if you saw Totti against Sampdoria? Amazing goals."

Then, when asked about Vardy's worth, he said: "I think it's a very low price. You are a friend of the agent."

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We're still waiting to hear from Maurico Pochettino but, in the meantime, here's the thoughts of defender Toby Alderweireld on Harry Kane, who has scored 18 goals this season, in addition to his 31 last term.

"I don’t want any other striker than Harry," he said. "We are very confident in him. He works very hard for the team, which is what we need, and he is scoring goals." 

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Saracens and England winger Chris Ashton has been speaking about his failed appeal over a 10-week ban.

The 28-year-old will miss the entire Six Nations after losing his appeal against a 10-week ban for making contact with the eyes of Ulster's Luke Marshall.

"I’m incredibly disappointed with today’s decision, but I now plan to look ahead to the rest of the season and work as hard as I can during my ban," he said. "I vehemently maintain that I have never made an attempt to intentionally make contact with the eye area of any other player. But the judgement stands and it is one that I will respect and accept.”

Michael Watson: Playing football at university, battled off a defender and slotted the ball past the keeper ran away celebrating only to turn and see the ball stopped in a puddle inches from goal, got a real ribbing for celebrating.

Paul Broome: Back in 1983, I played Sunday football in South Wales and we lost 27-0 to Victoria FC from Maesteg. They had two forwards from Barry Town and stopped at 27 goals with five minutes left because that beat the previous record victory in South Wales.

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Northampton and England centre Luther Burrell says teams are wising up about how to defend against him. 

The 28-year-old, capped 12 times by England, only has two league tries this term and is not in the Six Nations squad.

So, how do Crystal Palace get out of the rut they are stuck in?

"[Winning] would bring back a smile to everyone's face. We're all a bit miserable," says manager Alan Pardew.

"The way I am and the way my staff are we're eternal optimists. We'll go there to win. There's no process to draw. This year we've had a year that's fallen our way. We've not had much pressure, now it's kicked in."

That's it from Pardew for this week.

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So, how does Alan Pardew feel after Palace's defeat by Bournemouth in the league on Tuesday?

"I would have liked a bit more composure," he said. "We showed a bit of edginess in our play. We need to get that out our system. We need to get off the points total we're stuck on, that will help mentally. We're going to keep pushing.

"There are some things I will look to tweak, but we do that every game. Win, lose or draw. You have to keep momentum."  

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Crystal Palace's strikers have managed just one league goal between them this season, so what will new signing Emmanuel Adebayor add to the side?

"I thought some of the reporting the other night was very critical of Ade," said boss Alan Pardew. "He doesn't sprint around like a Jamie Vardy, but he was sharp. He's a bit different to a Palace player.

"Ade's almost ready for a start. He'll have a cameo role on Saturday. It was an easy process [signing Ade] and I thank Spurs for that."

Crystal Palace haven't won in their last seven Premier League games and come up against a rejuvenated Swansea side who taken four points in two games under new boss Francesco Guidolin.

"Swansea have picked up form, so it'll be a hard game for us. This and the next game against Watford will be tough," said manager Alan Pardew.

"Our recent record is a cause for concern and we need to put it right. We're two points off Liverpool in the middle there. We can push on and still have a great season."

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Manager Alan Pardew is in his seat and starts with some bad news by saying midfielder James McArthur (ankle) and winger Jason Puncheon hamstring are out for "a long period of time".

Better news sees midfielder Yohan Cabaye returning for the trip to Wales, but forwards Bakary Sako and Yannick Bolasie won't be back until 20 February against Tottenham.

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer

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If Eddie Jones feels under any pressure ahead of his first match in charge of England, he's not showing it so far - all relaxation and smiles as he announced his XV to play Scotland, combative when pushed on the lack of new faces but clearly excited. 

He admits to nerves but only positive ones - "I don't sit there biting my nails or scratching my head". With his years of international coaching experience he has seen bigger occasions than this, and in a frenetic Six Nations build-up that is so far shining through.

Bryn Palmer
BBC Sport

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Vern Cotter disclosed that centre Duncan Taylor, who has been named on bench, will have fitness test on Friday.

The Scotland coach also explained the thinking behind selecting Jon Barclay in the back row. "He has been playing number eight and has the skill-set to play in that position," Cotter said. "He can slip into six as a link player, ball carrier and take ball on ground."

New England captain Dylan Hartley was also facing the media and wants a good performance on Saturday.

"What is important is how we start the game. We have prepared well and trained well and we will be ready for the challenge.

"There are guys in the squad I haven't met before so it has been a crash course in getting to know people better but what we have done on and off the field has been brilliant."

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Bryn Palmer
BBC Sport

Scotland coach Vern Cotter is in bullish mood ahead of the Calcutta Cup meeting.

Asked about the visitors' strengths, the New Zealander said: "England will want to dominate us but I don't see why we shouldn't take them on at their strong points." 

England coach Eddie Jones believes he has picked a strong side to face Scotland on Saturday in their Six Nations opener.

"We feel that is the best 23 for this game," he tells the media. "Test selection is about picking the best 23. You can describe it any way you want.

"Our mission is to go up there and win the Calcutta Cup."

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Riyad Mahrez has gathered plenty of plaudits this term. But how does the Leicester City playmaker prepare for games?

Team-mate Wes Morgan has posted this clip on Twitter..., external

He's named his team and now England coach Eddie Jones is answering questions about it.

The best of it coming up...