Predicted Starting XI: Manchester City vs Leicester City (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City return to Premier League action aiming to secure UEFA Champions League football for next season, after victory at Bournemouth in the FA Cup on Sunday.

The most recent duel between the Cityzens and the Foxes was back in December; a 0-2 win thanks to goals from Savinho and Erling Haaland. At the Etihad Stadium, the last match involving City and Leicester was a 3-1 victory to the Blues back in 2023.

Manchester City were held by Brighton in their most recent outing in the Premier League courtesy of an exciting 2-2 draw prior to the international break across the last fortnight in March.

Erling Haaland opened the scoring from the penalty spot only for Pervis Estupiñán to level things up through a free-kick. Omar Marmoush then scored a wonder-strike from distance, but saw Abdukodir Khusanov deflect the ball into his own net making things even.

Against Bournemouth, Haaland suffered an injury to his ankle and will be assessed by specialists in order to know the extent of the damage. City expect to have the number nine back for the closing moments of the 2024/25 campaign, including the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Norwegian international is joined in the medical department by all of John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Aké and Rodri – all who remain sidelined with longer-term injuries sustained over the last few months.

Given that this is a must win match in the fight for a UEFA Champions League spot this season, let’s see how Pep Guardiola might line up his Manchester City team on Wednesday night for the visit of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side!

Predicted XI

Goalkeeper Ederson came back from injury against Bournemouth at the weekend, and being the number one choice for the club and manager Pep Guardiola, he should once again start ahead of Stefan Ortega Moreno.

Playing as a right-back when out of possession, Rico Lewis will likely join the midfield with the ball, creating a double pivot system should the England Under-21 international be selected for this one as we anticipate.

Abdukodir Khusanov has been improving a lot since his arrival from French side Lens in the January transfer window. Given his rising form, the Uzbekistan star should start as the right-sided centre-back.

Although he does not permanently wear the captain’s armband, Rúben Dias is a natural leader and quite possibly a future captain at Manchester City. We predict that the Portuguese will lead the heart of Pep Guardiola’s defence against the Foxes.

Arguably one of Manchester City’s best players this season, and certainly one of the most consistent, Josko Gvardiol is an easy pick to play on the left side of the backline, since there are few options available.

Nico González arrived late in the winter transfer window in a big-money move from FC Porto and is already pivotal in holding midfield. Therefore, he is the simplest of choices in a squad prediction particularly having missed the weekend’s action.

It is crystal clear that Kevin De Bruyne is still Manchester City’s best chance creator despite his ageing profile and ongoing doubts over his future. He could be the key to unlocking Leicester’s structure in a must-win game.

James McAtee needs to play more minutes; it’s as simple as that. Against Leicester in the reverse fixture, he was brilliant as a substitute. At the Etihad Stadium, the number 87 might have a chance to impress as a starter.

After being out of the squad against Bournemouth following the birth of his first daughter, Savinho should go straight back to the Manchester City starting line-up and in the right-wing position.

Over on the left, Jack Grealish – who made a good appearance as a substitute in the FA Cup last weekend – is likely to have a golden opportunity for himself with plenty to prove in the closing moments of the season.

Following Erling Haaland’s injury, Omar Marmoush is the main candidate to feature as a striker. The Egyptian is in incredible form, netting 25 goals and providing 15 assists in all competitions with Eintracht Frankfurt and Manchester City so far this season.

With this tactical set-up, Manchester City would most likely use somewhat of a 3-2-5 on the ball, while defending in a classic 4-4-2, as we have seen frequently against teams who are quick in transition.

Starting XI: Ederson; Lewis, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol; Nico, De Bruyne, McAtee; Savinho, Grealish, Marmoush.

Substitutes: Ortega Moreno, Nunes, Reis, O’Reilly, Gundogan, Kovacic, Bernardo, Foden, Doku.