FT: Leicester 0-0 Man City

1. Leicester move level on points with leaders Arsenal
2. Aguero taken off for Bony in second half
3. Aguero angry at challenge that left striker limping

Goodbye

I'm afraid it is that time of the night again. Yep, time to wrap up and say farewell.

*sobs*

But the year is not quite over yet as far as Premier League football is concerned. Hurrah! 

Make sure you join us tomorrow from 19:00 GMT when relegation-threatened Sunderland host Liverpool. Cheerio!

So this is how the top end of the Premier League will look as 2015 moves into 2016....

BBC Sport

Manager reaction - Pellegrini

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini on BBC Radio 5 live: "I don't divide the season into home and away games. We are three points behind the leaders and play them both at home in the second-half. The season for the moment is a good season. We know we must improve but at the end of the season we won't be dividing the away games and home games.

"I think we conceded 20 goals in the first half of the season which is too much."

Pellegrini confirms Kompany absence

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at the King Power Stadium

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini does not expect a swift return for captain Vincent Kompany after he limped off in the win against Sunderland with a calf injury following a brief appearance as a substitute.

He said: "It will maybe be three of four weeks. It is the same calf but a different part. For it to be less than three or four weeks would be very difficult."

Manager reaction - Pellegrini

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini on the title: "I don't think in December that you're going to win the title. At the end of January and the first week of February, maybe we can see more which are finally the teams which will be involved in the fight."

PA

FULL-TIME

We've looked at Manchester City's profligacy in front of goal so it's only fair we take a graphical look at Leicester's goalmouth action.

As you can see by comparing the home side's efforts to their visitors, they didn't make Joe Hart's workload as hefty as Kasper Schmeichel's.

The Foxes only managed four shots on target throughout (green arrows), with seven more missing the target (red arrows).

Opta

Player reaction - Morgan

Leicester captain Wes Morgan reacts on BT Sport: "We lost at the weekend and it was important to come back with some sort of result. We didn't make the most of our chances but it's a good point.

"We are just going along and seeing how far we can get, taking one game at a time."

Get involved

FULL-TIME

See all those red arrows darting around the Leicester goal? They basically mean that Manchester City couldn't hit a large farmyard animal with a banjo. The visitors missed the target with nine of their shots, plus seven which were blocked by Leicester players (the yellow circles).

Opta

Manager reaction - Ranieri

AP

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri on BT Sport: "I think we made a very good match. It was difficult. We played well, we created some chances. I wanted to see how my players responded after the Liverpool defeat and they responded well. 

"Every match is difficult for us. This league is very crazy...nobody wants to win the league. It's very strange. 

"We're the basement and the other teams are a villa with a swimming pool. It's not easy for us but we want to fight with everybody. 

"It's a miracle what we're doing. I'd love this to continue but it's not easy. I'd like my players to continue to fight like today. It's fantastic. I can only say well done to our players and our fans are unbelievable, they support us and they push us."

Kompany out for three-to-four weeks - reports

Daily Telegraph reporter Mark Ogden has just tweeted from the King Power Stadium to say Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has told reporters Kompany will miss another three to four weeks.

FULL-TIME

Funny that Raheem Sterling mentions that clean sheet, because I was just about to. Leicester's blank means Man City kept a clean sheet for the first time in the league without skipper Vincent Kompany. And that could be excellent timing...

Player reaction - Sterling

Man City forward Raheem Sterling on BT Sport: "We played really well at times. For the majority of the game we controlled the game and had a couple of chances to score but they're a good team and kept us out and that's what the league is about. 

"We were consistent throughout the game. The only thing that was missing was the final cutting edge. Our away form hasn't been great over the last few games and the most important thing was coming here, keeping a clean sheet and defending well."

Getty Images

Get involved #bbcfootball

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri looks pretty happy with that point in his post-match interview. They responded "very well" to losing at Liverpool on Boxing Day, he says.

Then the eccentric Italian starts rambling on about swimming pools and holiday villas...! Full quotes on the way.

Manager reaction

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini reacts on BT Sport: "I think we did more than Leicester to win the game. We had more possession, more attempts, more options but it was a tough game against a tough team playing away.

"We didn't come here to try to draw it. We didn't allow them to create options. I think we not only kept the ball, we went the whole game for the three points.

"This is a crucial period. I think at the end of January we will know exactly what position we are in. We will know if we are in the FA Cup and the final of the Capital One Cup and we have five or six very important Premier League games."

FULL-TIME

Manchester City dominated the stats - but not the one that really matters. The visitors hogged the ball for long periods, and were only a tent and groundsheet away from setting up camp in Leicester territory in the first half.

But they only managed to convert five of their 21 attempts into shots on target.

Opta

Player reaction - Sterling

AP

Man City attacker Raheem Sterling on his side's title chances: "We've got a good chance. We just need to focus on winning our games. If we win most of our games we can only control what we're doing and hopefully other teams will slip up.

"It's a really exciting league and that's why it's a joy to be involved in it. Anyone can win football matches."

A bit harsh Rio...

Player reaction - Schmeichel

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel reacts on BT Sport: "I think it was a pretty fair result. They had some chances, we had some decent ones as well. Slightly disappointed but we will take the point and a clean sheet as well.

"We are a very good team ourselves, we have proved that at the back end of last season and this season. It's what we expect of ourselves and in the matches we have been able to set that standard. It's one game at a time. It's cliche, it's boring but that's the only way we can do it. Nothing is won in December so we'll see where we go."

Get involved #bbcfootball

Getty Images

Unfortunately for Joe Hart and his Man City cohorts they haven't been hard to beat away from home. Their failure to win tonight means Manuel Pellegrini's men have not enjoyed success on the road in six Premier League matches...

Player reaction - Hart

Reuters

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart reacts on BT Sport: "It's a game we should have won. It's a clean sheet, that the positive, the negative is it's a game we should win.

"We are not where we want to be but we are right up there without playing very well. We are in a good position and the two teams above us deserve to be above us. We have to win all our home games and be damn hard to beat in our away games."

Championship results

Full-time whistles have toot-toot-tooted. Here is how it ended in the Championship. 

Brighton 0-1 Ipswich 

Cardiff 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Fulham 4-1 Rotherham 

Leeds 2-2 Derby 

For all the reaction follow our Championship live text coverage by clicking here. 

Ah, it promised so much but - ultimately - delivered little. Both teams lacked quality in the final third, particularly in the final 25 minutes when there were only two shots that hit the target.

Man City finish the year in third place, three points adrift of both Leicester and Arsenal.

FULL-TIME

Reuters

All over! No late drama as Leicester draw 0-0 for the first time this season.

But all in all that must count as a good point for the Foxes. They won't finish 2015 on top of the Premier League, but they will finish joint top. Arsenal are only above them on goal difference.

SUBSTITUTION

Leicester are happy with the point. Defender Richie de Laet comes on to shore up their backline and eat up some more seconds.

YELLOW CARD

Reuters

Kevin de Bruyne is booked for booting the ball away before Nicolas Otamendi, standing on the edge of his area to defend a Leicester free-kick, crumbles to the ground like he has been picked off by a sniper. He was hardly touched! The clock is ticking down...

Reuters

The fourth official reliably informs us that there will be three minutes of stoppage time to be played. If Leicester nick a winner then they will be top on New Year's Day...

SUBSTITUTION

Man City make that final substitution. Kelechi Iheanacho replaces Raheem Sterling, who is booed by the home fans as he trudges off. Presumably for his horrific new haircut more than anything else...

Man City corner...Leicester clear. Few chances in the past 20 minutes or so. Tense final few moments...

More movement on the Man City bench. Young forward Kelechi Iheanacho is stripped off and ready.

Not for the first time today, Man City left-back Aleksandr Kolarov shanks wide a cross from the left byline...

Leicester fans find their voice again, raising the volume inside the King Power. Can their side respond with a late winner? No sign yet...

I don't want to appear too harsh on Wilfried Bony but...the Man City substitute is the culprit of more poor attacking play. He lumps one forward from the edge of the box into Kasper Schemichel's hands. Was it a shot? A pass? Or a clearance? Only he knows...

Championship latest

There's celebrations at Elland Road as Chris Wood heads the hosts 2-1 ahead against title challengers Derby. 

Elsewhere, Fulham are 4-1 up against Rotherham, while it remains 1-1 between Cardiff and Nottingham Forest and Ipswich are still 1-0 to the good against Brighton. 

For all the latest news and scores follow our Championship live text coverage. 

SUBSTITUTION

Time for a fresh pair of legs in the Leicester midfield. Danny Drinkwater, only just back from injury, is given a breather as Andy King takes his place. Just under 10 minutes for someone to find a dramatic winner...

Admirable captain Morgan...

Steve Claridge

BBC Radio 5 Live at the King Power Stadium

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"A lot of people questioned whether Wes Morgan could step up but he's been fantastic and really looked like a Premier League defender tonight."

Half a chance for Wilfried Bony...but he is denied. The ball drops nicely to the Man City substitute's feet about 18 yards out, he blasts it goalwards, only to see Wes Morgan block.

The Foxes skipper flung himself in front of the ball like Kevin Costner flung himself in front of Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard. Top defending.

This is a palm-stinger! Leicester win a free-kick on the right corner of the away box, Christian Fuchs hammering a rising shot towards goal. But Joe Hart is wide awake in the City goal to block. Fuchs has got a left peg like Stuart Pearce!

Man City passing to victory?

The initiative is firmly with Manchester City now.

Their midfield is providing a solid platform. Yaya Toure and Fernandinho are maintaining possession better than N'Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater and Gokhan Inler.

Toure and Fernandinho have completed 82% and 83% of their passes respectively. 

Will we get a winner?

Opta

SUBSTITUTION

Time for another City change - a Spanish-themed change in fact. On comes right winger Jesus Navas, off goes his international team-mate David Silva. Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping Navas' pace and width can stretch the home defence.

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End to end stuff - can someone become a hero? Not Jamie Vardy on this occasion. The Leicester striker peels off to the left channel, meeting a brilliant diag from Danny Drinkwater, but the angle beats him. Comfortable save for Blues keeper Joe Hart.

Oh Wilfried Bony! He might have 28m pound of muscle but he hasn't got £28m of football talent. The City substitute slashes his size 10 at a cross from the left...skies it.

Get involved 81111 #bbc football

The question? Who has been the best or worst Premier League buys this season. Join the debate by tweeting #bbcfootball or texting 81111.

Tom in Wiltshire: Nathaniel Clyne to Liverpool. Great signing. Not often you see an English man live up to the inflated price tag. Quiet and consistent.  

Kevin from Lytham St Annes: United Keeping De Gea is the best signing and that from a City fan. If not Cech to Arsenal.  

Technically Manchester United didn't buy David De Gea this season, but we'll let you off this time, Kevin, being as it's the festive season. 

EPA

Championship latest

Time to update you with the latest from the Championship. 

Fulham look on course to record a comfortable home win, leading 3-1 against Rotherham with Alexander Kacaniklic netting in the 59th minute to turn the screw. 

The other games are going a little like this: 

Brighton 0-1 Ipswich 

Cardiff 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Leeds 1-1 Derby

SUBSTITUTION

Reuters

Here comes that Leicester change - finally. Maybe the fourth official couldn't work his electronic board quickly enough.

Anyway...striker Leonardo Ulloa comes on for midfielder Gokhan Inler as Leicester go back to a more-familiar 4-4-2 formation. 

Seconds after Aguero is hooked, Man City almost break the deadlock. Nicolas Otamendi escapes his marker to meet Kevin de Bruyne's right-wing corner - but Kasper Schmeichel is equal to it. The Leicester keeper flings himself left to push clear.

Aguero's struggles...

Steve Claridge

BBC Radio 5 Live at the King Power Stadium

"Aguero didn't look sharp. It's a double-edged sword, if you're not fit you shouldn't play but you can't get fit without playing games."

Aguero, with 29 touches, saw less of the ball than any Manchester City player. On the plus side, he completed 93% of his 15 passes. 

SUBSTITUTION

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Those changes are happening. First off is Sergio Aguero, who is replaced by Wilfried Bony. Aguero has not quite been himself tonight as he continues his return from injury...

Angry Sergio...

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter at the King Power Stadium

"He just throws his gloves at the feet of the referee does Sergio Aguero."

Both benches are a hive of activity. Looks like Leonardo Ulloa is coming on for Leicester, with Man City's Wilfried Bony also stripping off.

Sergio Aguero - the man likely to be hooked - thinks he should have a penalty after a strong challenge from Gokhan Inler. Think Inler might have got away with one there...

Better from home side...

Steve Claridge

BBC Radio 5 Live at the King Power Stadium

"That's the best move Leicester have engineered.  Lovely ball in from Mahrez, Albrighton cant quite get his bearings on the turn and he skews it wide."

As our man Phil McNulty alludes to, there is a cracking pace to this match. Another chance for Leicester after Riyad Mahrez's shows brilliant vision to pick out Marc Albrighton's central run. But the ex-Villa man can only drag his shot across the far post.

Battle is joined

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at The King Power Stadium

Getty Images

Both sides really going for it at the start of the second half and have both had chances.

The tempo has increased and the game has opened up - get the sense a goal is coming - and Leicester City's vociferous fans are convinced it is coming for them.

One Leicester fan is holding up a banner saying 'We are staying up'. I think I've got a better chance of winning the Euromillions than the Foxes going down now.

Huge applause for Foxes defender Robert Huth as his diving header back to keeper Kasper Schmeichel averts any danger.

Get involved #bbcfootball

Who have been the best and worst Premier League buys this season? Here's a selection of your answers to tonight's debate.

PENALTY APPEAL

Penalty?! That's what the 3,000 or so away fans shout for in unison. Danny Simpson slides in on Sergio Aguero close to the penalty spot, he doesn't get man, but does he get ball with his hand? Possibly. Was it intentional? No chance.

Kante's thump...

Steve Claridge

BBC Radio 5 Live at the King Power Stadium

"I think they'll be fairly happy Leicester with the way the game has started in this second half.

"Kante's shot is that close it was definitely one for Joe Hart to keep an eye on. A wonderful strike."

You can listen to Steve Claridge on BBC Radio 5 live by clicking 'live coverage' at the top of this page.

Who said 0-0s were boring?! Only an uneducated fool. Leicester spring forward again, N'Golo Kante drilling just wide of Joe Hart's left-hand post from 20-yards. The King Power is rocking again.

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Ironic cheers from the Leicester fans as ref Craig Pawson gives them a free-kick close to the halfway line. Jamie Vardy is the recipient, then picks himself up to head at Joe Hart seconds later.

Better Leicester! The home side give their supporters some encouragement as they probe down the left flank. But Christian Fuchs cross is too deep for Marc Albrighton at the far post. Those two combined for a great chance before the break remember.

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I don't think Leicester have been out of their half since the break. Unless I blinked and missed it. More desperate defending from the Foxes as N'Golo Kante bravely blocks Yaya Toure's thunderbolt from the edge of the box.

Manchester City earn their second corner since the break. But Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, back helping out in his usual role at the near post, makes sure the ball from Kevin De Bruyne does not enter the danger zone.

Sit and soak Leicester...

A look at the average positions players took up in that opening 45 shows how Leicester are playing deeper than their visitors.

Gokhan Inler (33) has won possession seven times - a game high. Christian Fuchs (28) has had 56 touches of the ball but lost possession 22 times.

Will the home side look to push up more or is counter attack their best ploy here? They're certainly soaking up plenty of Man City pressure at the moment...

Opta

Reuters

Manchester City tear out of the blocks quicker than Usain Bolt. An early corner leads to Kevin de Bruyne drilling a delightful ball towards Sergio Aguero at the near post. The Argentina striker prods his left boot at the ball, spinning the ball over Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel - and the bar.

Reuters

KICK-OFF

Manchester City's turn to start the action. Off we go....

No changes in personnel for either side at the break by the way. 

Fourteen years unbeaten...

BBC

Is that proud record going to continue? Let's find out. The dressing rooms have emptied, both sets of players are back out.

PS. Yes, that is Gerard Wiekens and Shaun Bartlett.

Former Newcastle keeper Srnicek dies

BBC Radio 5 Live

Reuters

Match of the Day pundit Mark Lawrenson coached Pavel Srnicek at Newcastle and says the late goalkeeper was "an all round lovely bloke".

"Pavel was one of those guys who when the bell rang at five to three you looked around and knew what you were going to get," Lawrenson tells BBC Radio 5 live.

"He was easily one of the most popular in the dressing room. He really did not have a bad bone in his body."

Srnicek died at the age of 47 on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Former Newcastle keeper Srnicek dies

The footballing world heard some sad news earlier today. Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek has died at the age of 47, nine days after suffering cardiac arrest in his native Czech Republic.

Read the full story here.

Get involved

Tonight we're asking who have been the best and worst Premier League buys this season. 

Mark, London: That Sterling costing about 100 times more than Mahrez is laughable.  

Tom, Leicester: Best buy. Yohan Cabaye. Pure quality. Enough said.

Reuters

Championship half-time scores

Leeds are back in it at Elland Road. Erratic goalkeeping from Lee Grant giving Sol Bamba the opportunity to sweep home from close range. 

Here are the half-time scores: 

Brighton 0-1 Ipswich

Cardiff 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Fulham 2-1 Rotherham 

Leeds 1-1 Derby

For the latest updates follow our Championship live text coverage. 

City can lift it...

Opta

"I still think no matter how Manchester City have played, I get the feeling there is still a bit more from them. Another gear or two."

You can listen to Steve Claridge on BBC Radio 5 live by clicking 'live coverage' at the top of this page.

The stats don't lie

More shots, more possession, more territory. Manchester City have bossed the first half at the King Power Stadium. The home side have only stuck one shot on target so far - with City forcing Kasper Schmeichel into five saves from their 11 shots.

Let's hope the Foxes fans are still being plied with free beer at the break...

Leicester showing some spark

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at the King Power Stadium

Manchester City may have had the better of things for the first half hour but Leicester City got stronger as it went on and Jamie Vardy - who has barely missed all season - should have put them ahead.

Plenty of jeering for referee Craig Pawson at half-time and easy to see why. Fernandinho almost scissored Riyad Mahrez but the official did not even give a foul.

Leicester's change in stance...

Steve Claridge

BBC Radio 5 Live at the King Power

Reuters

"Before it was win at all costs now it seems don't get beat at all costs for Leicester. You go away to Liverpool and now have Manchester City at home, it's understandable, you want to stay at the top of the league.

"It's certainly been a bit more cautious from Leicester, it's been a containment job. In the main, Manchester City have been the better side without really being convincing."

HALF-TIME

Reuters

Referee Craig Pawson is clearly feeling the heat. He doesn't bother with any injury-time - he must be keen to get his mitts on a half-time cuppa.

Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel has a word in his ear as he leaves the pitch, presumably asking why Mahrez wasn't given a free-kick in a dangerous position just before the whistle.

"You don't know what you're doing!" The Leicester fans give some air-time to one of my favourite infantile chants after not getting a free-kick from the referee.

Better news though as Riyad Mahrez trots back on, seemingly not too hurt.

Leicester have finally woken up. Riyad Mahrez runs at a back-pedalling Man City defence - before being crudely taken out from behind by Fernandinho. Free-kick? Ref Craig Pawson doesn't think so.

More concerning for the Foxes is that Mahrez was clattered by Nicolas Otamendi after Fernandinho's initial challenge.

Lucky Man City...

Steve Claridge

BBC Radio 5 Live at the King Power Stadium

Reuters

"They are their own worst enemies there Manchester City, giving the ball away on the edge of their box. Vardy gets there and skies the ball over. The form he is in, we've seen him hit plenty from that distance and score."

Reuters

Oh my word!! Leicester spurn an even bigger chance than that one seconds ago for Marc Albrighton. Man City midfielder Fernandinho carelessly gives away possession to Jamie Vardy, who pounces on that scrap like a hungry wolf. But the Leicester striker loses his head, wildly skying over the bar.

Left backs with differing roles...

Opta

A look at both left-backs is interesting.

Christian Fuchs (left) has had more touches (39) than any Leicester player but much of his work is in his own half. Aleksandar Kolarov - City's left-back - is getting far further forward (right) but has seen less of the ball - with 38 touches.

Steve Claridge on BBC Radio 5 live has described Kolarov's quality as "shocking" so far.

Chance! Christian Fuchs swings in a dangerous ball from the left flank, wiping out the whole Man City defence. Marc Albrighton is lurking at the far post, but he cannot turn in. Head in the hands time for the Foxes winger.

Man City getting on top

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at The King Power Stadium

Getty Images

Manchester City are just starting to exert some supremacy here with Raheem Sterling a threat and Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne providing support.

Jamie Vardy is looking isolated up front for Leicester City and has not had much joy so far, despite showing plenty of endeavour, Just one or two signs of frustration from the home fans but lots of superb support too.

Man City earn their fourth corner of the evening after another attack. But David Silva's delivery is too high for the climbing Bacary Sagna, who can only flick across the home goal.

City really should have a goal for the dominance. A concern for Manuel Pellegrini?

Man City left-back Aleksandr Kolarov is getting absolute pelters from the Leicester fans. His crime? Tangling with Foxes striker Jamie Vardy.

Vardy is his usual self, hassling and harrying the away defence, but has barely had a kick. Ten to be precise...

Opta

Running man...

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It may not surprise you but Leicester midfielder N'Golo Kante has run further than anyone on the pitch in the opening 30 minutes. He's clocked up 4.08km which is about 2.5 miles.

Another minute, another Man City chance. Raheem Sterling - the biggest threat in this game so far - pings a rising shot towards the Leicester goal from 15 yards. Kasper Schmeichel has his beady eye on the ball though, flinging himself into the air to push over the crossbar.

City are leading 8-2 in the shots-at-goal column...

Leicester are hanging on a little bit now. Away right-back Bacary Sagna fizzes a low cross down the 'corridor of uncertainty' between keeper and defence. Can anyone turn the ball in? No! Leicester survive...

Get involved #bbcfootball

Who have been the best and worst value Premier League buys this season? 

Tweet us using the hashtag #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only) 

Move over Roy...

One of the Inbetweeners has a few thoughts for Roy Hodgson...

James Buckley plays Jay in the hit series and films. Anyone who has seen his character will know he is a fountain of knowledge - and a serial liar. 

Jay, of course, had trials for Real Madrid as a kid but fell off a bus stop so couldn't go...

Reuters

One criticism of Raheem Sterling is that he doesn't score as many goals as someone with a £49m price tag around his neck should. The Man City man, playing almost alongside Sergio Aguero now, has two good opportunities to put his team ahead.

But one-time Blues keeper Kasper Schmeichel repels both angled drives from the right side of the box.

Close-range or nothing...

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter at the King Power Stadium

"I'm sure all 37 of Leicester's goals have been from inside the area. So that Mahrez effort would have been a first."

You can listen to Ian and pundit Steve Claridge by clicking on 'live coverage' at the top of this page.

Getty Images

Everyone knows what Riyad Mahrez has got in his locker. Stopping him, however, is something else. The Leicester magician tricks his way inside from the right touchline, City's defence back off, allowing him to blast at goal from 20 yards. Joe Hart watches it whizz well over his crossbar.

Get involved

Get it wide lads...

That attack came down the right, but Leicester have been targeting the left flank early on. Jamie Vardy has pulled wide a few times, Riyad Mahrez has drifted to the same side and Marc Albrighton, who has started on the flank, is seeing some ball.

Albrighton has six assists this season. Bacary Sagna could have his hands full at right back for the visitors.

Opta

Leicester have yet to stretch Joe Hart in the Man City goal - but they're trying. N'Golo Kante digs out a cross after some tenacious play down the right flank, but Jamie Vardy can't acrobatically send the ball goalwards.

Championship update

There are a couple of goals to tell you about in the Championship. 

Look away now Leeds fans because Derby have gone 1-0 up at Elland Road thanks to the waltzing Jeff Hendrick, dribbling beyond a couple of defenders to cutely finish beyond Marco Silvestri. 

Cardiff? It's 1-1 against Nottingham Forest with Aron Gunnarsson leveling for the Welsh team. 

Elsewhere it's Brighton 0-0 Ipswich and Fulham 1-0 Rotherham. 

Early sparring at Leicester

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at The King Power Stadium

Leicester City and Manchester City are sizing each other up at the King Power Stadium - lots of early sparring but no serious blows landed.

Jamie Vardy has tested Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala with his pace on a couple of occasions but City's defence, which can have a soft centre in the absence of injured captain Vincent Kompany, is holding firm.

Like a hot knife through butter. Man City right-back Bacary Sagna carves open the Leicester defence with a long pass, allowing to Raheem Sterling to scamper into the right channel of the box. 

Sterling waits, waits, then finds the supporting Kevin de Bruyne. The £56m Belgian tries to curl past Kasper Schmecihel, but the Foxes keeper beats the ball out. Decent chance.

Time to digest the match...

 "After a good dinner with the family time to watch the game come on City," posts injured Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri on Instagram.

Great to see Nasri is getting into the Christmas spirit by wearing a party hat. Oh wait, it's his blond highlights...

Time to deliver...

Steve Claridge

BBC Radio 5 Live at the King Power Stadium

Reuters

"The delivery hasn't been great from both teams yet. They've got in some great positions. Two from Leicester, two from City and under no real pressure, both sides have struggled to get any quality in."

Right then - Leicester are back in the Man City half. And they have a free-kick about 35 yards out. Christian Fuchs and Riayd Mahrez have a pow-wow, the Austrian deciding to use his left foot to seek out Robert Huth at the far post. The big German sticks his forehead on the ball, but can't keep his header down.

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Leicester playing like the away team at the moment. Allowing Man City to hog possession, content to sit back and pile forward on the counter.

Sergio Aguero has his first sniff of the night as Man City aim to quieten the home crowd. The nippy Argentine turns his marker N'Golo Kante, only to see Foxes skipper Wes Morgan dash across to block his low shot from a tight angle.

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Get involved #bbcfootball

Tonight we're asking who have been the best and worst value Premier League buys this season? 

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Compete...

It's safe to say the opening 10 minutes has been a bit of a midfield tussle...

Opta

Anyone remember former Nottingham Forest striker Jason Lee?! Him with the "pineapple on his head". Nope? Ask your dad. Or Google. 

Anyway, Raheem Sterling appears to using Big Jase as his style icon judging by his new barnet.

Again, Sterling slides in the overlapping Aleksandr Kolarov, but the Serb left-back shanks out for a goal-kick to the delight of the home fans.

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BBC

Man City are starting to find some rhythm, knocking the ball quickly in tight spaces inside the Leicester half. David Silva pops up in the left channel of the home box, cutting back towards Raheem Sterling. He lets the ball run...to a blue Leicester shirt.

Is it pantomime season? Oh yes it is! Which probably explains why Raheem Sterling is being booed by the home fans. He might as well be dressed as Captain Hook.

Sterling plays in Aleksandr Kolarov, but the City left-back's low delivery fails to find the lurking Sergio Aguero.

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Early chance for Leicester to test out that creaky Man City defence. Marc Albrighton wins a free-kick close to the left touchline and the Foxes send the big lads up from the back. But Christian Fuchs' delivery is too strong and the away team clear.

Plenty tuned in to this...

'A proper game'

Steve Claridge

BBC Radio 5 Live at the King Power Stadium

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"This is a proper game this. On Boxing Day I think Liverpool worked Leicester out, they considered what they had to do and not many teams have done that this season.

"This time I think there will be a bit of both sides having the ball and it should be great."

Quiet start on the pitch as the home side gently knock the ball around in their own half. City, decked out in that garish lime green away kit, have barely had a kick.

Not a quiet start in the stands though - it is banging!

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KICK-OFF

Ref Craig Pawson does a quick head count, peeps his whistle and that means we are under way.

Is this predictably unpredictably Premier League season going to provide some more thrills and spills?? 

LINE-UPS

Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Inler, Kante, Albrighton, Vardy. Subs: De Laet, King, Okazaki, Ulloa, Dyer, Wasilewski, Schwarzer. 

Man City: Hart, Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov, Toure, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling, Aguero. Subs: Zabaleta, Caballero, Bony, Jesus Navas, Demichelis, Iheanacho, Horsfield.

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)

The state of play

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The impossible dream?

BBC

Familiar scene at the King Power

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at The King Power Stadium

Third visit to Leicester City in a matter of weeks - and The King Power Stadium creates one of the most intoxicating atmospheres in the Premier League.

Flags are unfurled all around the arena and soon the familiar sound of the hunting horn will greet the players.

And the brilliant performances of Claudio Ranieri's team this season have not exactly harmed an already vibrant environment.

Soak it in...

Jonathan Overend

BBC Radio 5 live presenter at the King Power Stadium

Reuters

"We say it every time we come here but what an atmosphere in the King Power."

You can listen to commentary and punditry from Steve Claridge by clicking 'live coverage' at the top of this page.

Both sets of players are stood in the King Power tunnel, with vocal Manchester City keeper Joe Hart chuntering at his team-mates as usual.

"Come on, let's go! shouts the England keepers as he rocks from side to side like a kid who has eaten too many sweets.

Then they get the thumbs up to head out on to the pitch.

'I agree with the president'

The Football League at one stage were threatening Leeds United with a disrepute charge for not allowing Sky's TV cameras into Elland Road.

In response, Leeds say the league were being unfair by allowing Sky to disrupt the club for their own commercial purposes.

Manager Steve Evans told BBC Radio 5 live: "He has issues with the Football League and the fixtures, especially moving matches away from Saturday afternoon and into midweek.

"Form a sporting point of view where they get more recovery time, I have to agree with the president yes."

You can come in...

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If you wanted to watch Leeds United take on Derby County in the Championship tonight your luck is in.

After banning Sky television's cameras Leeds United "reluctantly" changed tact on Tuesday.false

Owner Massimo Cellino is frustrated Leeds have been televised nine times this season, claiming the coverage impacts negatively on attendances.

Big games in the Championship...

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Brighton take on Ipswich shortly in a game which pulls two of the Championship's promotion-chasing sides together.

Albion can move third with a win, while at the other end of the table Rotherham can suck Fulham closer to the relegation battle.

The sides do battle at Craven Cottage with Fulham on 24 points, three clear of the Millers who are one place above the bottom three.

Elsewhere Cardiff host Nottingham Forest and the two mid-table sides need to muster some momentum quickly if they are to threaten the top six.

You can follow all of the Championship action live by clicking here.

Football League preview

Little over five minutes until kick-off at Leicester - and little over five until kick-off in the Football League. here's what's happening...

Play our Predictor game

BBC Sport

Leicester are among the front-runners in the Premier League - and they are also mounting a title challenge in our Predictor league.

Manchester City fans, however, are performing well below their lofty ambitions - they're scrapping around in mid-table. You can help maintain/improve your team's form by having your say in our Predictor game.

You can also check out the Predictor league table and see whether your predictions are better than Mark Lawrenson's guesses.

What are you waiting for? Get involved.

'City will beat Leicester'

Mark Lawrenson

Former Liverpool defender

Leicester have done fantastically but when you are top of the league you are a massive target and we saw that at Anfield on Boxing Day, where the atmosphere was lifted by Leicester's visit. Manchester City are without Vincent Kompany again and it is sheer bad luck. That's a real blow for them but I think they will go and win 3-2 at Leicester."

Eliaqium will be the Man

Manchester City's defence has taken loads of flak this season, with their problems in the absence of skipper Vincent Kompany being well documented.

But don't worry City fans! Eliaquim Mangala will eventually prove to be worth every single penny of his hefty £32m transfer fee. So says his City and France team-mate Bacary Sagna.

"He is going to be a great defender one day," reckons Sagna. "We just have to be patient. 

"Most of the time you forget he only came last season to this league. This league is difficult, especially when you come from abroad you need time to adapt."

Get involved

Here's a great stat for you (albeit not totally surprising)....eight of Manchester City's players cost more in transfer fees individually than it took to assemble the combined Leicester team. City's players are worth £292.9m, compared to the £21m total of their hosts.

That led to us to think about the value of Premier League players. £400,000 for Riyad Mahrez - bargain. £32m for Eliaquim Mangala - hmmm.

Who have been the best value Premier League buys this season? And the worst/ Let us know by tweeting #bbcfootball. Go, go, go!

'Kompany keeps everything together'

Steve Claridge

BBC Radio 5 Live at King Power Stadium

"Nicolas Otamendi, Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis look lost on their own without Vincent Kompany, there is no natural partnership that leaps out. Kompany's organisation is what Manchester City miss, he is the glue that holds the team together. The others are just concerned with defending but Kompany is the one they look to keep things together."

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Bad Kompany

And here's another reason why Manchester City are not tearing up the Premier League this season...

BBC

Away form like the old days...

BBC

Manchester City did not win for six straight away Premier League games in 2011, a run which culminated with a 3-0 loss at Liverpool in April.

Failure to win tonight would equal that record.

Away day Blues

So we've spoken a lot about Leicester - what about Manchester City? In summary - fantastic at home (except against Liverpool), struggling away.

The Blues have won just one of their past six Premier League games on the road.

Why's that? Even boss Manuel Pellegrini says he isn't sure. 

"There's no particular reason for our recent away form - but we must improve," he tells BT Sport. "I said to my players that at the end of January we will see which teams have the more options to win the title.

"We play against the best side in the first half of the season tonight - we must concentrate because they are very dangerous in attack."

Home is where the heart is...

Can Foxes find bite?

The Boxing Day blank was the first time that Leicester failed to score in a Premier League match this season.

After a toothless display at Anfield, where they managed just three shots on target, Leicester will have to improve if they are to maintain their lofty position.

"We have to clean this result away and restart," said Ranieri afterwards.

Leicester's deadly duo

PA

You don't need me to tell you that two of the brightest stars in Leicester's resurgence have been England striker Jamie Vardy and Algeria playmaker Riyad Mahrez.

The two men have contributed 29 of Leicester's 37 Premier League goals this season, as well as providing 10 assists for each other or their team-mates.

But they drew a blank at Liverpool on Boxing Day. Nope, it wasn't too much stuffing on Christmas Day - Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri revealed afterwards that Vardy played with a fever and Mahrez was "very tired".

Perhaps Mahrez was so excited about Santa arriving that he climbed out of bed at 3am...

Vardy fit and well

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at The King Power Stadium

Two questions have been asked about Leicester City all season. How would they cope after a defeat? How would they cope without Jamie Vardy?

Only one of those questions will be answered tonight as Vardy has recovered from the fever that saw him below par in the loss at Liverpool and starts against Manchester City.

Leicester can go back to the top of the Premier League by leapfrogging Arsenal with victory over City at the King Power Stadium.

The loss at Anfield was only their second of the league season so manager Claudio Ranieri will want his side to bounce right back - and how dare we doubt them after what they have achieved this season?

And here's the statistical evidence why Leicester are celebrating the end of a fine year...

BBC Sport

Cheers!

Man City team news

One change for Manchester City from the 4-1 win against Sunderland - and it is a biggy. Talismanic striker Sergio Aguero steps up from the bench following his recent injury, replacing Wilfried Bony. 

The bulky Ivorian will be sat twiddling his thumbs in the dugout, where he is joined by 20-year-old midfielder James Horsfield (no relation, I believe, to former West Brom brute Geoff). Hope they've brought their gloves - looks a bit parky in Leicester.

Opta

Leicester team news

The manager formerly known as the Tinkerman sticks with the bulk of the players that have served Leicester so well this season.

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri makes only two changes from the Boxing Day defeat at Liverpool, midfielders Danny Drinkwater and Gokhan Inler replacing Andy King and Shinji Okazaki.

Perhaps more importantly, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez both start after being substituted at Anfield.

BBC Sport

Plenty of blue and white Santa hats dotted about outside the King Power Stadium, and there's even a brass band playing Christmas carols. Tis the season to be jolly after all.

Leicester striker Jamie Vardy is also very jolly, bearing a broad grin as he sprints out to warm up. That's a big hint about the Leicester starting XI. Let's find out who else has made the teamsheet shall we??!

Hello! What a difference a year makes. Well, for Leicester at least. 

Leicester started the calendar year with journalist-berating, ostrich-analogist Nigel Pearson at the helm, before the Foxes hierarchy stuck his head in the managerial sand and dragged out Claudio Ranieri's bespectacled features instead. And the charming Italian continued what the gruff Midlander started - turning Leicester's Premier League fortunes on their head.

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For City, 2015 could end exactly as it started - in second place and with the same cool, calm and collected man in charge.

Manuel Pellegrini knows his team will climb above Leicester, who currently occupy the spot behind leaders Arsenal, by nabbing all three points tonight.

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Big Ben chiming at midnight on New Year's Eve can be the perfect time to reflect on the previous 12 months. Unless you've got a cracking headache from partying too hard...

But those still compos mentis will often mull over the great/grim things that have happened in their life since last New Year. The arrival of a little one (great). The bitter ending of a relationship (grim). Managing to get a selfie with Justin Bieber outside the local Portuguese peri-peri chicken establishment, perhaps (great or grim).

The first thought of Leicester fans, however, will be their team's annus mirabilis. On 1 January 2015, the Foxes were bottom of the Premier League. On 1 January 2016, they could be top of the pile...