It’s a battle between two teams needing points for completely different reasons as Man City host Leicester at the Etihad on Wednesday.
Going into this week’s set of midweek fixtures, City are in fifth place in the Premier League, just one point behind Chelsea in fourth. They will be hoping to leapfrog the Blues into the Champions League places.
Meanwhile, Leicester need points to stave off the threat of relegation. On a six-match losing streak without even scoring a goal, the Foxes are probably already doomed. They are nine points from safety with just nine matches to go. They need points and need them fast.
MANCHESTER CITY VS LEICESTER PREVIEW
Manchester City enter this game off the back of a come-from-behind win against Bournemouth in the FA Cup on Sunday. Second-half goals from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush cancelled out Evanilson’s 21st-minute strike. This booked City a place in the semi-finals for the seventh successive season.
Their league form, however, can be described as erratic. They have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six. They go into this game following an entertaining 2-2 draw against Brighton in their last game at the Etihad.
Despite this, City should have far too much to be troubled by a Leicester side that have only won one Premier League game in their last 14. They did have a weekend off and so will be fresher, but lost 0-3 against Manchester United last time out. They are hoping to avoid a seventh straight defeat. They have conceded a staggering 16 goals in their last six games without scoring a goal.
City have won all of the last five encounters between the two sides, including this fixture last season. This was a 3-1 victory, with a John Stones opener and Erling Haaland brace putting the game beyond reach by half-time.
The reverse fixture this season saw City win 0-2 at the King Power Stadium. Savio and Haaland again provided the goals.
Haaland is a major injury doubt for City, having left the field on crutches against Bournemouth. Omar Marmoush is likely to feature as his replacement.
It will be interesting to see whether Nico O’Reilly will make his first start for City following setting up both goals at Bournemouth. He could replace Matheus Nunes.
For Leicester, winger Abdul Fatawu is out due to a knee injury, but full-back Ricardo Pereira could return. Harry Souttar is likely missing with an ankle issue.
MANCHESTER CITY VS LEICESTER – PREDICTIONS
Man City Win
Everything points to City – league position, form, home advantage, goal scoring record – it’s difficult to make the case the other way.
Draw
City drew last time out against Brighton and the Etihad is not the fortress it once was. City haven’t won there in the league since mid-February and the crowd could get jittery quickly.
Leicester Win
City are having a disappointing season by their standards. In the first half on Sunday, they struggled to deal with Bournemouth’s high-intensity game. If Leicester come to the Etihad and give it a go, they could scare the hosts. Their 2-1 defeat of Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in January could provide some confidence too.
MANCHESTER CITY VS LEICESTER – BETTING TIPS
Manchester City Win
I can’t see anything else. City need the points to qualify for the Champions League places, Leicester are on a dismal run of form, and home advantage counts for something too.
Manchester City to Win to Nil
It’s very difficult to see Leicester scoring here. They haven’t scored in the Premier League since January and have the second-weakest attack in the league. City don’t keep many clean sheets these days, but even so, their defence should be too strong.
Omar Marmoush to Score
All four of Marmoush’s Premier League goals this season have been scored at the Etihad, including against Brighton last time out. He also scored the winner in the FA Cup clash at Bournemouth on Sunday. With two goals in two games, he is a man in form and will look to step up should Haaland’s absence be confirmed.
HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Manchester City and Leicester have played each other 128 times, with City winning 67 encounters. Leicester have won 32, while there have been 29 draws.
- Man City have won all of the last six Premier League games between the two sides, and nine of the last 10.
- Leicester have never drawn at Man City in the Premier League era. City have won seven encounters and the Foxes five.
- Leicester are on a six-match losing run in the Premier League, and have only won one game in their last 14.
- Leicester have conceded the opening goal in 24 of their 29 fixtures this season. This is five more than their nearest rivals.
