Manchester City will look to close out 2024 on a high when they travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s troops could only nick a point off of Everton on Boxing Day, extending their four-game winless run in the Premier League. A woeful last two months has left them in unchartered territory in seventh place in the table.
The Spanish tactician is under pressure to turn things around and will be desperate to get a win at Leicester City, who are 18th in the table and have lost their last three games.
Man City Team News
Kyle Walker missed the 1-1 draw with Everton with illness and his availability for Sunday’s game remains in doubt. Ederson (knock), Matheus Nunes (knock), John Stones (ankle) and Jack Grealish (muscle) are also touch-and-go, while Ruben Dias is definitely out.
However, Nathan Ake should be fine to feature after coming off on Boxing Day due to exhaustion.
Predicted Man City lineup vs Leicester City (4-1-4-1)
Goalkeeper
Ederson’s availability looks in doubt, so Stefan Ortega should continue in between the sticks for Man City.
Defence
In front of Ortega, Pep Guardiola is likely to retain the 4-1-4-1 formation. Manuel Akanji should pair up with Nathan Ake again, trying to keep the Leicester City striker quiet at the weekend.
If Kyle Walker fails to recover from illness in time, Rico Lewis should continue at right-back. Josko Gvardiol will keep his left-back position intact. The Man City back four have to defend extremely well to keep a shutout at the King Power Stadium.
Midfield
Mateo Kovacic should hold the forte in midfield again, trying to build up attacks from deep. The Croat may get joined by Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva in the City engine room as the trio look to dominate possession, control the flow of the game and create chances in the final third.
Kevin de Bruyne has to settle for a spot on the bench once again for Man City. Matheus Nunes, provided he recovers from his knock, will join the Belgian in the substitutes ranks.
Attack
Jeremy Doku was the liveliest attacker in the 1-1 draw with Everton, assisting Bernardo Silva’s goal. He will keep his place on the left flank, with Phil Foden keen to produce the goods off the right.
Erling Haaland has been starved of goals of late. The big Norwegian should be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a leaky Leicester backline. Having played an entire game against Everton, Savinho will try to make an impact off the bench on Sunday.
