Matches piling up for hungry City

MANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini has hinted Leicester have an advantage in the title race.

The Chilean recognises City’s quest for the prize quartet will see the games pile up. City eased into the FA Cup fifth round with a 4–0 win at Aston Villa, having already reached the League Cup final and Champions League knock–out stages.

Leicester have only 15 league games left but City will play 27 matches if they go all the way in every competition – more with FA Cup replays. Pellegrini conceded Claudio Ranieri’s leaders, who they welcome to the Etihad on Saturday, might have the edge.

“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 less games then maybe,” he said, ahead of tomorrow’s game at Sunderland, with City three points behind Leicester.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored a hat–trick in Saturday’s victory and he is set to be included in Pellegrini’s Champions League squad ahead of tomorrow’s registration deadline. But the 19 year old is likely to be dropped in favour of Sergio Aguero for City’s trip to the Stadium of Light, with David Silva also set to return.