Manchester City are looking at getting their 10th successful victory in all competition as they welcome Leicester City to the Etihad Stadium.
Match Preview
Manchester City have their eyes set on the treble this season after a successful week in the Premier League and Champions League.
They beat Bayern Munich on Tuesday, with goals from Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland securing a commanding 3-0 quarter-final first-leg win over the Bundesliga giants.
Haaland also scored twice as City beat Southampton 4-1 at St Mary’s, and that result coupled with Arsenal dropping points in a 2-2 draw at Liverpool has seen Pep Guardiola’s men move to within six points of the Premier League leaders, who have played a game more.
Manchester City are in massive form in recent games too, as they have scored 24 goals in their last five games across all competitions, netting at least three times on each occasion.
They go into the weekend clash having won their last 10 Premier League matches of their last 12 Premier League encounters with Leicester.
Dean Smith was announced the new manager of Leicester eight days after the departure of Brendan Rodgers.
Leicester City have endured a miserable run of seven defeats and one draw in their last eight matches, including a 1-0 home loss to relegation rivals Bournemouth last weekend.
They are currently 19th in the Premier League standings and Smith begins his reign with one of the toughest challenges in English football against an in-form Man City.
Leicester have lost each of their last four Premier League matches against Man City, but with a new coach, they could dent City’s success.
Manchester City vs. Leicester City Team News
Manchester City will be without Phil Foden as they face Leicester as he continues to recover from appendicitis surgery.
De Bruyne is fit to play though after Guardiola played down fears that he sustained an injury against Bayern.
Guardiola will certainly make some changes to his starting lineup, with Aymeric Laporte, Kyle Walker and Rico Lewis all pushing to start in defense.
Haaland will likely see limited minutes on Saturday after he just recovered from a groin injury and is expected to lead the attack.
For the Foxes, Harvey Barnes is still a doubt for the clash, as well as Youri Tielemans (ankle), James Justin and Ryan Bertrand (both knee) all remain in the treatment room.
Jonny Evans was an unused substitute last weekend after recovering from a thigh problem but may start ahead of Daniel Amartey or Wout Faes.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is back after serving a one-match ban and could start in the centre-midfield at the expense of Boubakary Soumare.
Kelechi Iheanacho will compete with Patson Daka and Jamie Vardy for a place up front.
Probable Line Up
Manchester City probable starting lineup:
- Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish
Leicester City probable starting lineup:
- Iversen; Castagne, Evans, Faes, Kristiansen; Dewsbury-Hall, Ndidi; Ricardo, Maddison, Tete; Vardy
Manchester City vs. Leicester City Prediction
Both teams need the points this weekend with the latter needing it more as they are in the relegation zone.
Leicester City will hope for a new manager bounce under Smith, but the odds are more against them as City are in a massive form.
Well, from Futballnews here – we are going for Manchester City winning Leicester City 4-0.
