Man City vs Leicester: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Manchester City continue their push for Champions League qualification on Wednesday evening when they host struggling Leicester City in the Premier League.

A dismal title defence has left the usually flawless Cityzens scrambling for a place inside the top four come the end of the season, although a fifth-placed finish - their current position in the table - could be enough depending on UEFA coefficients. Victory against the Foxes midweek would see them rise above Chelsea before the Blues take to action against rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.

Confidence was hardly sky high for City heading into the March international break but victory over Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday will have boosted morale.

Meanwhile, Leicester haven't felt the joy of confidence since Enzo Maresca's departure last summer and their torrid return to the top flight is almost over. The East Midlands side look destined to return to the Championship having stumbled to new lows under Ruud van Nistelrooy. They have won just once in the Premier League since mid-December but they can't play Tottenham every week.

Here is 90min's guide to the duel at the Etihad.

Man City vs Leicester head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Man City vs Brighton on TV - UK & US

Man City team news

Erling Haaland will be missing for City / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

City booked their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at the weekend but they were dealt a devastating blow at the Vitality Stadium. Erling Haaland was withdrawn due to an ankle injury and it's since been revealed that he could miss the next five to seven weeks.

The Norwegian sharpshooter will be sorely missed and joins a band of high-profile names in the treatment room. The central defensive trio of Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Nathan Ake are all sidelined at present, as are long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb.

Man City predicted lineup vs Leicester

Man City predicted lineup vs Leicester (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Kovacic, Gonzalez; Savinho, De Bruyne, Silva; Marmoush.

Leicester team news

Ruud van Nistelrooy can't blame injuries / Vince Mignott/MB Media/GettyImages

Injuries have not been a mitigating factor in Leicester's recent slump, although the Foxes do continue to miss the creativity and athleticism of Abdul Fatawu. Missing since mid-November with an ACL tear, he won't return this season.

Ricardo Pereira is an injury doubt for the midweek clash, too. The Portuguese full-back briefly returned from a long-term setback at the beginning of March but missed the battle with Manchester United before the international break with a knock.

Leicester predicted lineup vs Man City (3-4-2-1): Hermansen; Faes, Vestergaard, Coady; Justin, Ndidi, Soumare, Kristiansen; Buonanotte, El Khannous; Vardy.

Man City vs Leicester score prediction

City have proven unpredictable this season, even at the Etihad, but should have few issues swatting aside Leicester. Even without Haaland, the attacking firepower at their disposal should put the Foxes' weak and porous defence to the sword.

City's defensive issues have been a theme of the season but they will fancy a clean sheet on Wednesday. Leicester have scored just four times in the Premier League since the turn of the year and have blanked in their last five outings.

This should be as routine as it gets for Pep Guardiola's men.