Manchester City vs Leicester City team news: Sergio Aguero likely to return while Foxes will play without Danny Drinkwater

Manchester City’s biggest concern lies in whether to play Aguero or Jesus, while Leicester City will have to do without Danny Drinkwater.

The Cityzens will host the Foxes at the Etihad stadium tonight as the season draws to a close. Manchester City are quite comfortable at the fourth spot. A victory tonight will ensure a secure third-spot finish, and Guardiola’s squad will also participate in the Champions League next season.

Leicester City, on the other hand, have had a dismal season until Craig Shakespeare came in and managed to turn things around for them to an extent. However, tonight they will have to be extra cautious while playing against a Manchester City that is hungry for the three points.

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Tough choice to make for Guardiola? (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

With Sergio Aguero’s imminent return, Guardiola will have a tough choice to make. There is no doubting AGuero’s capabilities, but Jesus has also proven himself in that role at Manchester City. To make the decision harder, City scored five times in Aguero’s absence last weekend.

As far as injuries go, Ilkay Gundogan (knee) remains sidelined for City, while goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (calf) remains doubtful after having missed the 5-0 win over Crystal Palace.

John Stones is also likely to feature in tonight’s game. It all depends on a fitness test that he will have to take alongside Sergio Aguero before any decision on whether or not they will play against Leicester city.

In the pre-match press conference, Guardiola confirmed that there were no other injury concerns.

“There are no injuries except Gundogan and Bravo,” said Pep. “Sergio trained in the last few days and the rest are OK. Like Sergio, John Stones trained with the group the last two or three days as well.”

He did admit that they were vying for a top-three finish, and remained optimistic about doing better next season. “There is still so much to play for. We are aiming for third, but if we finish fourth and we go into the qualifiers of the Champions League, like this season, it won’t change things or our pre-season plans. But I am so optimistic that we can qualify for the Champions League. I think we will be better next season.”

Meanwhile, Leicester have been dealt a blow after Danny Drinkwater was ruled out for the rest of the season with a thigh problem. There is also a doubt over Huth, who has an issue with his foot, while Wes Morgan is again missing with the hamstring injury that he sustained against Atletico Madrid.

Leicester City's English midfielder Danny Drinkwater (R) wins a header as Chelsea's Spanish defender Marcos Alonso and Chelsea's Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic (C) look on during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Chelsea at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on January 14, 2017. / AFP / Adrian DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Leicester City’s English midfielder Danny Drinkwater (R) has been sidelined due to an injury. (Photo by AFP / Adrian DENNIS)

Nampalays Mendy will sit this one out because of an ankle injury he sustained earlier.

In the pre-match press conference, Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare acknowledged that they will have to play a Manchester City side that is known for its blistering attack.

“I saw the game against Crystal Palace and they looked hungry to me,” said Shakespeare. “I thought they were outstanding. Their offense would cause any team in the world problems.”
It remains to be seen if Leicester City can muster a defending champions-style performance against Manchester City at the Etihad stadium. Manchester City, on the other hand, will have more of an edge in this game considering how crucial it is for their Premier League standings, and they have a lot more at stake than Leicester City.

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