Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Leicester City v Manchester City: Match Preview

A week ago, Man City were preparing to take on European Champions Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in their final Champions League group match. Tonight they travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City in the quarter finals of the Capital One Cup.

While this competition may be at the bottom of Manuel Pelligrini's priorities, it is certainly a winnable one, and they're expected to reach the semi-finals after being drawn against the only non Premier League side left in the competition.

But Leicester will give the billionaires a good test. They're currently third in the Championship and have only lost once at home this season in all competitions. Plus they've proven they can beat top flight opposition after overcoming Fulham in the last round.

This is the second game of a big week for Leicester. They started it off with a 1-1 draw at home to Burnley, while this weekend sees them take on league leaders Queens Park Rangers.

But given Man City's recent form, their 6-3 win against Premier League leaders Arsenal and victory in Germany, it would be the biggest shock of the season if Leicester won tonight.

Team news:

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson will be without strikers Chris Wood and Tom Hopper with hamstring and shin problems respectively, while Sean St Ledger remains out with a groin injury.

However, Jamie Vardy is available. The forward went off during Saturday's draw with Burnley with a foot injury but should play tonight.

The visitors will be without Sergio Aguero after he picked up a calf injury in their 6-3 win against Arsenal on Saturday and has been ruled out for a month. Defenders Micah Richards and Matija Nastasic are also sidelined with hamstring and calf problems respectively.

Pelligrini is likely to make numerous changes from their weekend victory over Arsenal, with Joe Hart likely to start in goal. Edin Dzeko, James Milner and Joleon Lescott are also set to be involved.

Likely line-ups:

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Moore, Konchesky, Knockaert, James, Drinkwater, Dyer, Vardy, Nugent.

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Lescott, Boyata, Kolarov, Javi Garcia, Rodwell, Milner, Jesus Navas, Dzeko, Jovetic.

Odds: Leicester (11/2) Draw (4/1) Man City (2/5)

Edin Dzeko to score a hat-trick (14/1)

Man City to win 5-1 (33/1)


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