Pep Guardiola said he knew last season that Leicester would be challenging in the top four during this campaign.
Brendan Rodgers' side travel to the Etihad on Saturday evening sitting above the Blues in the league after an impressive start to the 2019/20 campaign but Guardiola has not been surprised by their success.
"They sold Maguire, the other teams is the same, a lot of quality in the middle, counter attacks, control all departments of the team. Last season I had the feeling they’d fight for the top four and it’s happened, they’re a fantastic team," Guardiola said ahead of the clash in the Premier League.
City find themselves 14 points off league leaders Liverpool going into Saturday's game and are six points ahead of fourth placed Chelsea and Guardiola was asked if it is difficult to motivate his players during their current league position.
"There are a lot of games to play, the distance we are from now, the teams in front or behind can change, especially in this period," he said. "We set up for tomorrow as quickly as possible and do what we have to do."
And the City manager has been given a boost ahead of this weekend's fixture with Sergio Aguero and John Stones both possible options after returning to training following injuries.
"Both (Aguero and Stones) had training sessions, Silva no, they made two with the team," Guardiola said.
