Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's Premier League clash between bottom-placed Leicester City and champions Manchester City at the King Power Stadium. There's plenty at stake for both sides here, and we'll have team news for you shortly.

LEICESTER: Hamer; Simpson, Wasilewski, Morgan, Konchesky; Cambiasso, King, Drinkwater, Mahrez, Schlupp; Vardy

LEICESTER SUBS: Smith, Hammond, James, Powell, Moore, Ulloa, Knockaert

After seeing his side lose 2-1 away to Aston Villa last weekend, Leicester boss Nigel Pearson has made four changes to his starting lineup this afternoon. Ben Hamer is given the nod in goal in place of the injured Kasper Schmeichel, while Wes Morgan, Andy King and Danny Drinkwater are also included. Leonardo Ulloa and Matty James are among those who have to settle for a spot on the bench.

MAN CITY: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy; Toure, Fernando, Nasri, Lampard, Silva; Dzeko

MAN CITY SUBS: Caballero, Demichelis, Kolarov, Milner, Fernandinho, Navas, Pozo

The big news for Man City is that Vincent Kompany and David Silva both return following spells out injured. Manuel Pellegrini has made a total of five changes following his side's triumphant win over Roma in midweek, with Yaya Toure, Frank Lampard and Bacary Sagna also coming back into the fold. James Milner, Fernandinho and Jesus Navas are among those who take their place on the bench.

Right, let's get down to business. Having failed to win any of their last 10 games, it's fair to say that Leicester are in desperate need of some points right now. The Foxes currently sit at the bottom of the table, four points adrift of safety. Incredibly, their last victory came back on September 21 when they stunned Manchester United 5-3. How they could do with another boost like that.

While Leicester are struggling at the wrong end of the table, Man City closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to three points last weekend with a 1-0 win at home to Everton. The Blues have won their last six in all competitions, including a 2-0 victory over Roma in midweek that put them through to the last 16 of the Champions League. Leicester may harbour some hope of getting something from this game, but they're up against a Man City side that is flying at the moment.

Leicester winger Jeffrey Schlupp: "We've got to take the game to them. We can't sit off them, we know they're a good team and what they can do, but they'll be battling for the win too to close the gap on Chelsea.

"We know how hard it's going to be, but we can't stay off them. We respect them, but that doesn't mean we will let them play, so we'll be in their faces, it will be hard work, but hopefully we can get the result."

© Getty Images

Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "Maybe it has been a difficult start for them but I think they are a very good team. They beat Man United and they lost against Liverpool, but in a game they played also very well.

"We are not thinking about which position they are in the table. We are thinking about if we want to win, we must play the same way we are doing in the last weeks."

HEAD TO HEAD: It's Man City who have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these teams, winning 46 games compared to Leicester's 25. There have also been a total of 25 draws since they first played each other over 100 years ago.

Man City's record in recent times is also indicative of their dominance, with three wins and three draws in their last six games against the Foxes. Their most recent triumph was a 3-1 victory at the King Power Stadium in last season's League Cup - a competition that they went on to win as part of a double with the Premier League. Leicester last beat Man City in November 2003.

Got a spare couple of minutes before kickoff? Why not check out our video preview of this afternoon's game:

There's been obvious concern for Man City since it was announced that Sergio Aguero will be out for around six weeks through injury, but they seemed to be okay without him against Roma in midweek. The Blues are sure to miss his goal-scoring instincts up front, though today gives Edin Dzeko a good chance to prove that he can fill the void left by the Argentine. The Bosnian has scored four goals in 19 games so far this season.

We've had a few words from Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini, so it's only fair that we have some from Leicester counterpart Nigel Pearson, who has been addressing his future at the club:

"What we have to consider is that our owners are very successful people, and very supportive. But they will ultimately do what's best for their football club. I don't think you can ever make any assumptions that you earn the right to do this or that.

"Whether managers like it or not that's always how it is. It's a question that until our results improve I will continue to be asked and I will have to deal with."

Looking at the table, Man City could go top this afternoon if they win and Chelsea lose at home to Hull City. Okay, the latter part of that equation seems unlikely, but we have seen some odd results this season. Meanwhile, a victory for struggling Leicester could lift the Foxes to within a point of safety. While they are currently on a 10-game winless streak, things would be a lot brighter at the King Power Stadium with a win today.

Wishing former #mcfc 'keeper @kschmeichel1 a speedy recovery from a broken metatarsal. @OfficialFOXES #foxesvcity pic.twitter.com/8NUOhLS4aN — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) December 13, 2014

Significantly enough, these two teams currently occupy opposite ends of the form table in the Premier League. Man City have taken 16 points from their last six games, while Leicester have picked up just the one.

The players are starting to emerge in the tunnel at the King Power Stadium. Vincent Kompany, with that trademark look of intensity across his face, stands at the front of the Man City line. Meanwhile, Wes Morgan will be the man who leads Leicester out this afternoon. Not long to go now until this one gets underway.

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Man City to kick us off. We've had some late drama in terms of the Man City lineup, with Edin Dzeko picking up an injury in the warm-up. The youngster Jose Angel Pozo replaces him up front. How is that going to affect the champions?

It's been a very assured start from Man City, who have dominated possession so far. The visitors create a chance when Kompany heads a free kick back across goal, but no one is there to convert. Leicester then go up the other end through Vardy, whose cross is eventually cleared by Mangala.

It's still Man City who are dictating the tempo of this game, getting at the Leicester defence whenever they can. Toure and Lampard are seeing plenty of the ball in midfield, feeding the likes of Silva further up the pitch. Leicester are having to stay organised and disciplined right now.

Leicester midfielder Mahrez has been the home side's brightest spark so far, showing one or two bits of skill to glide past a couple of Man City players. One move sees him feed Vardy down the left channel, but the striker is muscled off the ball by the imposing Mangala.

CHANCE! Leicester almost take the lead through Vardy, who is played through on goal by Konchesky following a penetrating run from the full-back. Vardy tries his best to race clear of Mangala, but his shot eventually goes wide for a corner. The resulting set piece causes some confusion in the Man City box, though they clear the danger.

While he might have been concerned with how much of the ball Man City were seeing during the opening few minutes, Nigel Pearson will be delighted with how his side have responded. The Foxes are chasing down everything and making life difficult for the champions.

It's just not clicking for Man City at the moment. The visitors are struggling to move the ball about, with some dodgy passing allowing Leicester to win back possession on a regular basis. Man City work themselves a half-chance on the edge of the box as Toure tries his luck from 25 yards, but the Ivorian's underwhelming effort is charged down.

What a player Silva is. The Spaniard dances his way past two, three Leicester players inside the penalty area before eventually getting crowded out. He's not been fully involved so far, but that was a glimpse of what the little magician is capable of. Leicester will want to keep an eye on him.

CHANCE! Close again for Leicester! Cambiasso goes for goal with a free kick from all of 30 yards, but the Argentine's effort curls inches wide of the post with Hart beaten. The Man City goalkeeper gets to his feet and gives Cambiasso the thumbs up in acknowledgement of what a good strike that was. Hart may even have been expecting that set piece to be delivered into the box as a cross.

Silva commits a rare foul by clipping the heels of Mahrez when it looked as if the Leicester man was about to burst clear down the right. The Spaniard is lucky not to go into the book there because that was a cynical one.

Man City are finding it really hard to get in behind the Leicester defence right now, and that's because the hosts are doing a great job in keeping the ball at the other end of the pitch. The likes of Toure, Lampard and Silva are hardly getting a touch on the ball, while poor Pozo is a passenger up front.

SAVE! From nothing, Man City come close to taking the lead through Toure. The midfielder drills a low effort towards goal from about 15 yards following some patient build-up play, but Hamer does really well to get down and push the ball away. That was a great save.

That chance seems to have spurred Man City on because the champions are starting to look more menacing going forward. Leicester are suddenly having to do all of the chasing while Man City knock the ball about from back to front.

Manuel Pellegrini is sure to be a lot happier with how his side have sparked into life in the last five minutes or so. Leicester are being starved of possession and having to sit deep and soak up plenty of pressure that the visitors are putting on them. That said, the home team are still looking organised and disciplined across the pitch.

They've been well below their best so far today, but Man City lead thanks to a poacher's goal from Frank Lampard! Nasri works himself some space down down the left before delivering a low cross into the feet of Lampard, who provides a clever flick to direct the ball past Hamer and into the net from about six yards.

Credit to Leicester, they've responded well to going behind. The hosts pump a couple of testing crosses into the Man City penalty area, but the away side deal with the danger on both occasions. It must be said that Kompany has been superb so far. You can see why Man City look vulnerable at the back when he's not there.

There will be just the one minute of added time at the end of the half...

Typical of the champions, Man City lead at the break despite not playing to their full potential. You could argue that Leicester were the better side during the opening 45 minutes, but it's the visitors who are ahead thanks to a clever finish from Frank Lampard.

PICTURED: Esteban Cambiasso competes with @MCFC scorer Frank Lampard. #LeiMnc pic.twitter.com/WB5eGx4T17

— Leicester City (@OfficialFOXES) December 13, 2014

Leicester must be wondering just how they're losing at the break. Nigel Pearson's side have been very bright so far, giving their opponents plenty of problems in the final third. Mahrez has been their star man thanks to his silky runs, but they've just been lacking that killer touch up front.

Manuel Pellegrini could well be giving his players a bit of a rollicking at the moment, even if they are in front in this game. The Blues have struggled to get going, with the likes of Lampard, Toure and Silva all finding it hard to damage Leicester. We could well see a very different Man City after the break; one that is more dynamic and dominant.

Leicester's best chance in that first half came from veteran midfielder Cambiasso, whose free kick curled narrowly wide of the post. The Foxes also caused Man City problems earlier in the half when Vardy broke clear before seeing his shot deflected off target. The hosts can be encouraged by these openings, though they need to keep their foot on the gas if they want to get something out of this game.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half, with Leicester getting us underway. No changes from either manager at the break.

The hosts have given a good account of themselves during the opening few minutes of the second half. They've put a couple of teasing crosses in to the Man City box, but the visitors have dealt with the threat both times. Vardy gets himself into trouble for a late challenge on Mangala, though referee Jon Moss decides not to take any action on the forward.

It's all gone a bit scrappy as both teams struggle to keep hold of the ball. There's a lot of jostling in central areas, though it's probably Leicester who are enjoying the better of the possession.

This is better from Leicester. They're putting their foot on the ball a bit more and building up some pressure on their opponents. Vardy finds some room down the right before Clichy clears, while Simpson receives the ball in a good position moments later before Man City deal with the danger again.

PENALTY SHOUT! Leicester want a penalty as Vardy goes down under a challenge from Mangala, but referee Jon Moss waves away the appeal. That could easily have been given by the official, though the contact was minimal between the pair. Vardy eventually gets off the deck with a rueful grin across his face.

MAN CITY SUB: The visitors make their first change of the afternoon as goalscorer Frank Lampard is replaced by James Milner.

Man City are just trying to take a bit of the sting out of the game at the moment as they pass the ball around patiently inside the Leicester half. It's been an unremarkable half so far, which is how the champions would like to to stay. However, as long as it remains 1-0, Leicester will have a chance of getting something out of it.

LEICESTER SUB: Now the home side make a change as Jeffrey Schlupp comes off for Leonardo Ulloa. Can the summer signing from Brighton make a difference?

Pozo gets caught offside for Man City, adding to his disappointment this afternoon. The youngster has had very little impact on the game so far. In fact, he's barely touched the ball. It's not all been his fault though: he's not been given much service in the final third.

MATCH SHOT: @YayaToure holds-off the attentions of Andy King. #foxesvcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/DfWRnZtWaV — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) December 13, 2014

YELLOW CARD! Nasri picks up a needless booking for Man City after standing too close to the ball when Simpson was trying to take a free kick.

LEICESTER SUB: The hosts make another change as Jamie Vardy is replaced by Nick Powerll. Just over 15 minutes remaining and Leicester are starting to pile a bit of pressure on Man City. However, the champions are looking dangerous on the break, particularly with the pace of Nasri and Silva.

MAN CITY SUB: The away side mix things up again, this time with Jesus Navas replacing Jose Angel Pozo. I'm guessing that Silva and Nasri will be the players pushing forward for Man City, considering they have no recognised striker on the pitch now.

MAN CITY SUB: Bad news for the visitors now as Vincent Kompany is forced off with a hamstring problem. The defender was chasing back before suddenly pulling up, feeling the back of his right leg. Martin Demichelis replaces the Belgian international.

YELLOW CARD! Man City goalkeeper Hart picks up a silly booking for wasting time over a free kick. Meanwhile, Leicester make a final change as Anthony Knockaert come on for Danny Drinkwater.

CHANCE! That's a good opening for Leicester as Ulloa turns on the edge of the box before seeing his shot deflected wide of the post. Cambiasso takes the resulting corner, but Man City do just about enough to get it away. It could be all hands to the pump for the champions during these final 10 minutes.

Wonderful play from Toure as he wriggles free of what seems like five Leicester players before blasting a difficult effort on the angle over the crossbar. The Ivorian has been a subdued presence in midfield this afternoon, but he almost exploded into life there.

Just under five minutes of normal time remaining at the King Power Stadium and Man City are just about hanging on. You get the feeling that one more big chance might come in this match, but who will it drop to?

Nasri shows good footwork on the left side of the Leicester box before cutting onto his right foot and shooting towards goal. It's not a bad effort, though Hamer makes comfortable save in the end.

There will be FIVE MINUTES of added time...

It's all a bit frantic as the clock ticks down. Both sides are finding it hard to keep hold of the ball, particularly Man City.

The full-time whistle goes and it's Man City who have the win to keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea. The only goal of the game came at the end of the first half when Frank Lampard flicked the ball home, but what a priceless one it could turn out to be. Meanwhile, Leicester remain rooted to the bottom of the table having extended their winless run to 11 games.

That's all from our live text coverage of this afternoon's game, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from both camps right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!