Title-chasing Manchester City will welcome second-to-bottom Leicester City to the Etihad, with Pep Guardiola eyeing another win.
Bayern Munich did not match Manchester City’s relentless form as they brushed the Germans aside in their Champions League encounter. Goals from Rodri, Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva gave Pep Guardiola’s side an unassailable 3-0 lead in the first leg, as Manchester City now re-focus on league matters with the game against Leicester City.
Their win at St. Mary’s last weekend was their fifth league triumph on the trot. And Guardiola knows the challenge ahead of his team. Going by their form, many expect Manchester City to win their remaining games, which would clinch them the Premier League title.
It’s what @ErlingHaaland does best! 😎 pic.twitter.com/gvpuGOKx1v
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 13, 2023
They remain six points behind leaders Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand over Mikel Arteta’s side. Realistically, Manchester City could gun for a treble with Guardiola’s side active in the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League. Considering the challenging prospect of the treble, they have to maintain their momentum and get a win over Leicester City.
Leicester City fans will have thought about the inevitable threat of relegation from the Premier League, and they will start panicking if their team does not improve their form. They have lost each of their last three games, which has seen them slip into the 19th spot.
An improbable win over Manchester City would let them apply pressure on the teams above them. If they get three points at the Etihad and their rivals, such as Everton and Nottingham Forest, lose, the Foxes could get out of the relegation zone at the weekend.
However, the prospect of beating this Manchester City side will come as a dream for Leicester City and their newly-appointed manager Dean Smith. Fans will not travel far expecting their team to create miracles, but at least an upturn in form is what they will least want from their side.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has a nearly full squad at his disposal, with everyone barring Phil Foden, keeping fit. Considering the rhythm of his backline in recent games, the manager is unlikely to change things despite the availability of fringe stars like Aymeric Laporte and Kyle Walker.
Adapting is key 🔑#ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/R0LVw6e2MM
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 14, 2023
He will continue with the blooming partnership of Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias in the middle, while John Stones and Nathan Ake have been operating in a hybrid full-back road.
Even in midfield, Guardiola may not make changes or afford rest to his main star Rodri despite Kalvin Phillips keeping fit. The Spaniard will have Ilkay Gundogan in support from the central position, with Kevin De Bruyne playing the advanced role.
With his imperious form, Jack Grealish will start from the left side of the attack, with Bernardo Silva likely to come in on the right. Premier League top-scorer Erling Haaland will lead the line, hoping to continue his scoring run for Manchester City.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Stones, Akanji, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Gundogan, Silva, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
Leicester City
Dean Smith has the task of choosing his first lineup ahead of his opening game as Leicester’s new manager. Unlike his opponents at the weekend, the Foxes boss has to contend with multiple problems with his sides, as few key players remain doubtful.
"We have to have that belief in ourselves that we can go there and get a result."
Dean Smith looks to #MCILEI 🎙️
— Leicester City (@LCFC) April 14, 2023
James Justin and Ryan Bertrand remain absent from the squad, but Youri Tielemans could return after a few weeks out. He could make the matchday squad but unlikely to get the nod to start against Manchester City.
Harvey Barnes was a doubt with a slight hamstring issue, but the winger could make the team. Smith will also have Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall back from a suspension and slot alongside Wilfred Ndidi in Leicester’s midfield.
Smith could change things up with his frontline, as Jamie Vardy could start instead of Kelechi Iheanacho. He could also use Ricardo Pereira in the attacking third than his usual full-back role, with James Maddison completing their attacking setup.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Iversen; Castagne, Amartey, Faes, Kristiansen; Ndidi, Dewsbury-Hall; Pereira, Maddison, Barnes; Vardy
Key Stats
- Manchester City have won their last five matches in the Premier League.
- Manchester City have won five of their last six home matches against Leicester City in all competitions.
- Manchester City have scored 34 goals in their last five games across all competitions.
- Leicester City have lost seven of their last eight matches in the Premier League.
- Dean Smith has lost each of his six games against Manchester City.
Player to Watch
Erling Haaland
Nothing but pure love for this competition! 🔵 #mancity #UCL pic.twitter.com/3r5VqWAXMu
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) April 11, 2023
After a minor fitness scare that saw Haaland miss the international break and one Premier League game, he is back to his old scoring form. The two goals last weekend and one in midweek will have the Norwegian fired up about the prospects of shattering the Premier League scoring record this season.
He will have another crack at it when they face a struggling Leicester City side. In the form that Manchester City are in currently, it’s safe to assume they will overpower their opponents to create loads of chances for Haaland and others. The Norwegian remains the key factor for his team as they continue their quest towards a possible treble.
Prediction
Manchester City 4-1 Leicester City
With Dean Smith set to take charge of a Premier League clash since last playing in a top-flight game last season with Norwich City, he could get the taste of harsh reality. Manchester City are never the best opponents to start your career somewhere, and Pep Guardiola will likely triumph here.
In the form Guardiola’s side are in at the moment, it is clear that they will create many scoring chances and convert those. While our prediction stands at a 4-1 win for Manchester City, Leicester City could get a lot worse if they let their opponents into the game early on.
