Pep Guardiola has been sent a decisive defensive selection message ahead of Man City's massive clash against Leicester City on Monday.
Following Liverpool's late, dramatic 3-2 victory at Newcastle United on Saturday night they have moved top of the table and City need a win at Leicester to leapfrog them once again.
Regardless, City know that all they need to do to clinch their second successive Premier League triumph is to win their final two games. While the trip to Brighton on the final day is, perhaps unwisely, being seen as a formality especially since their Premier League safety was confirmed, Leicester has been considered as City's last big test.
That's because the Foxes have improved drastically since Brendan Rodgers too, having won five of his opening eight games in charge.
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The key factor to Leicester's improvement has been the resurgent form of Jamie Vardy, who is still in contention for the golden boot having scored 18 times this season - just two behind Sergio Aguero and one in front of Raheem Sterling.
Despite being 32 Vardy is as fast as ever and is still just as clinical in front of goal and is a real threat to any team he comes up against.
That includes the bigger sides in the league, as no player who doesn't play for a top six team has scored more against top six teams than Vardy.
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He's a threat who City will ignore at their peril and he gives Pep Guardiola a big decision to make in the heart of his defence.
While Aymeric Laporte is expected to start regardless, his partner at the back is up for debate.
Guardiola has favoured captain Vincent Kompany as of late, especially in the big games, but his penchant for coming out of the backline and his lack of pace could be a disaster against the pace of Leicester.
The Manchester Evening News asked Man City fans: "Presuming Laporte starts, who should partner him at centre-back?"
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The clear winner was John Stones, with 54% of 1,020 votes.
With his pace being able to counteract Leicester's and hopefully make Vardy less effective at getting in behind.
Kompany did finish second with 40% of the vote, with some fans suggesting that his leadership qualities and cool head should mean he starts despite the lack of speed.
Nicolas Otamendi finished third with just 6% of the vote.
Man City face Leicester on Monday night in the last home game of the season at the Etihad. Kick-off is at 8pm.
