Adrian Clarke is looking at key tactical talking points ahead of Matchweek 37.
TV Info - Broadcasters
Since three damaging defeats in December, Manchester City have become more solid defensively.
Their star-studded forward line has understandably hogged the headlines during an amazing run of 15 wins in 16 Premier League matches in 2019.
But at the other end the champions have conceded just six goals in that spell, compared with 16 in their previous 20.
Extra focus
Attack is the best form of defence for Pep Guardiola’s team, along with their monopoly of possession, but without the ball their structure has been sound.
They have been caught by fewer counter-attacks than earlier in the season, while players have taken fewer risks.
As a result, there have been few scares at the back, with Ederson facing fewer than two shots on target per match since the turn of the year.
Shots on target faced per match
| Man City | Total |
|---|---|
| Before 1 Jan | 2.6 |
| 1 Jan onwards | 1.7 |
| Season average | 2.2 |
Captain’s influence
Vincent Kompany has started three of the last four PL matches and been a calming presence.
The 33-year-old has featured for a total of only 1,047 minutes, just under a third of the campaign, but with the finish line in sight Guardiola is turning to him more frequently.
Kompany has defended solidly and provided leadership in awkward matches at Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Burnley.
He has a strong chance of keeping his place for the visit of Leicester City, which the champions must win to go above Liverpool at the top ahead of the final day.
Kompany is often Guardiola’s preferred option against sides with physical front men.
In his 11 top-flight starts he has been pitted against Chris Wood, Christian Benteke, Troy Deeney, Andy Carroll, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Steve Mounie.
None managed to score.
Heading for glory
Of Man City’s options at the back, the three-time Premier League winner is most suited to dominating in the air.
He has won an impressive 68.1 per cent of his aerial duels, the highest of any Man City centre-back.
He is also very calm in 1v1 situations, using his experience to thwart strikers.
None of Guardiola’s defenders are as difficult to run past as Kompany, who was dribbled past for the first time this season by Burnley's Matej Vydra last weekend.
Dribbles past Man City defenders
| PL 2018/19 | Mins | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Vincent Kompany | 1047 | 1 |
| Nicolas Otamendi | 1230 | 4 |
| Danilo | 804 | 5 |
| John Stones | 1762 | 5 |
| Benjamin Mendy | 900 | 8 |
| Aymeric Laporte | 2877 | 11 |
| Kyle Walker | 2599 | 13 |
Leicester are likely to offer a different kind of threat to the one at Burnley last weekend.
Jamie Vardy’s pace and movement, coupled with Leicester’s willingness to counter-press inside the middle third, will present a challenge.
This may mean the more mobile John Stones gets picked ahead of the club captain.
But, Kompany’s inspirational leadership is likely to be more important than ever to Man City.
In the past he has been a man for the big occasion, and his current form suggests that has not changed.
Also in this series
Part 1: Fraser and Wilson a twin threat to Spurs
Part 2: Henderson mixing his game in Reds' title bid
Part 3: Rapid Deulofeu can strike fear into Chelsea's defence
