Despite a dreadful European campaign, Manchester City are heading towards a successful finish. They came back from behind against Bournemouth to clinch a place in the FA Cup semi-final. Also, a Champions League qualification place is pretty much up for grabs as they will host struggling Leicester City on Wednesday night in their upcoming Premier League encounter.
The Citizens, currently fifth in the league standings, need a strong finish amid pressure from a host of outfits. The 19th-placed Foxes might not threaten them enough at Etihad, however, Erling Haaland’s injury could be a significant blow in their ‘top four’ hunt ahead of the weekend’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford, followed by an array of tricky tests, including the Wembley encounter against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semis.
Predicted 4-3-3 Manchester City Lineup To Face Leicester City
Defence
Pep Guardiola has rotated Ederson and Stefan Ortega between the sticks. But he is expected to opt for the Brazilian, who should exhibit his ball-playing attribute from the last line of defence.
January signing Abdukodir Khusanov has cemented a place in the heart of the backline alongside Ruben Dias with John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Manuel Akanji still nursing their respective thigh, muscle and ankle injuries. Rico Lewis could be preferred down the right, replacing makeshift Matheus Nunes, but the left-back spot belongs to Josko Gvardiol, who offers persistent attacking threats with overlapping runs, crosses and link-up play.
Midfield
Rodri’s season-ending cruciate ligament rupture destabilized the Citizens in the middle of the park. The Spanish boss roped in Nico Gonzalez in the winter, and the former Porto midfielder could replace Ilkay Gundogan to partner with Mateo Kovacic as the ‘double pivot’.
Kevin de Bruyne played the full 90 minutes against the Cherries on Sunday evening. The veteran Belgian might make way for his fellow countryman Jeremy Doku to avoid fatigue and fitness woes. Doku’s pace and dribbles would be menacing for the Leicester defence, and his inclusion should see Phil Foden shift as a ‘number 10’. Bernardo Silva has been a shadow of his earlier self, yet the Portuguese could retain his place down the right over James McAtee.
Nico O’Reilly turned things around for Manchester City after coming on as a half-time substitute at Vitality Stadium, and the young Englishman should be involved at some stage, along with Jack Grealish, in and around the attacking third.
Attack
”Super sub’ Omar Marmoush scored the winner moments after replacing injured Haaland. The Egyptian forward has been exquisite since his January move, and the gaffer should rely on him high up the pitch until the Norwegian is back into action.
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