Man City XI vs Leicester: Erling Haaland injury latest, confirmed team news and predicted lineup

Evening Standard

·1 aprile 2025

Man City XI vs Leicester: Erling Haaland injury latest, confirmed team news and predicted lineup

Pep Guardiola will be without his top scorer for up to seven weeks in major blow

Haaland limped off after scoring the equaliser during Sunday’s dramatic FA Cup quarter-final win away at Bournemouth, having earlier missed a penalty.

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The Norwegian international hurt his left ankle during a challenge by Cherries midfielder Lewis Cook and stayed down for treatment before being replaced by match-winner Omar Marmoush.

He was later spotted limping on crutches and sporting a protective boot as he made his way out of the Vitality Stadium, though Pep Guardiola was unable to offer much of an update straight after the game.

The City boss said only on Haaland: “I don’t know yet, we will have to see.”

City have been conducting tests on Haaland, with a new official update released on Monday night confirming that he was to be sidelined indefinitely but would return at some point this season and be fit for the summer’s Club World Cup.

Guardiola has since confirmed that Haaland will miss up to seven weeks.

“The doctors told me between five and seven weeks. So hopefully the end of the season and the Club World Cup he will be ready,” he said at his pre-Leicester press conference on Tuesday.

The Premier League Golden Boot holder will play no part when soon-to-be deposed champions City, currently embroiled in a fierce fight just to finish in the top four, make the short trip to Old Trafford for a Manchester derby against United at the weekend.

They also host Crystal Palace and travel to Everton in the league before their FA Cup semi-final showdown with high-flying Nottingham Forest at Wembley on the weekend of April 26/27.

With Haaland definitely unable to face Leicester, it seems likely that impactful January signing Marmoush will lead the line instead, supported by the likes of Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden.

“We don't have another player with his skills or specific qualities,” Guardiola admitted.

"Erling's numbers have been exceptional. He is an incredible threat for long balls and to the centre of goal. We will have to adjust with other players.”

Guardiola remains without a host of defenders including Nathan Ake, John Stones and Manuel Akanji, plus Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. Oscar Bobb will hope to be involved for the first time since August after training and being involved in a behind-the-scenes friendly since recovering from a broken leg.

City have options in midfield with Nico Gonzalez making way for Mateo Kovacic against Bournemouth and Bernardo Silva also returning, while Jack Grealish and James McAtee will also be pushing for further chances and 20-year-old Nico O’Reilly could be handed a league start after shining off the bench with two assists on Sunday.

Ederson returned from injury in goal at the weekend to replace Stefan Ortega, while Ruben Dias and Abdukodir Khusanov should continue at centre-back among City’s aforementioned injury issues. Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis are fighting for the right-back job.

Injured: Rodri, Ake, Akanji, Stones, Haaland

Doubt: Bobb

Time and date: 7:45pm BST on Wednesday April 2, 2025

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester