City looking for déjà vu in Leicester cup quarter final

The Carabao Cup quarter-finals get underway this week as Leicester City prepare to welcome Manchester City to the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.

The tie is a repeat of last season’s quarter-final at Leicester when the game finished 1-1 before Pep Guardiola’s side emerged victorious on penalties due to heroics from Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

The sides’ respective league positions do not count for anything going into the clash as City look to retain the trophy they won at Wembley in February.

Claude Puel has no fresh injury concerns with Ben Chilwell still not fit and unavailable for the fixture. It remains to be seen whether Jamie Vardy is able to play again so soon after making his comeback from injury during the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Harry Maguire should be fine to retain his place in the Foxes line-up but fellow centre-back Jonny Evans is out suspended.

City will continue to be without Eliaquim Mangala, Claudio Bravo, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy for the last eight contest as they recover from long-term injuries. David Silva is also not expected to return until the end of the month although City fans will have rejoiced in the reintroduction of key stars Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne in their 3-1 win over Everton. 

Riyad Mahrez returns to his old club whilst Kelechi Iheanacho faces his former City team mates at the King Power.

Mahrez scored 48 goals and provided 38 assists during his Leicester career and was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year during Leicester’s memorable Premier League triumph in 2015-16. Claude Puel spoke about the Algerian’s quality in his pre-match press conference.

“He played and scored a lot for Leicester City. It will be good to see Riyad again, he gave his best for the Club. I hope he is on the bench, though!”

Claude Puel when asked on the potential return of Riyad Mahrez

Guardiola is not taking this fixture lightly suggesting to the press after his sides victory over Everton that his team will look to win every game regardless of the Premier League title race.

“We have a game so we will prepare as always to win the game, reach the semi-final and have a chance to reach the final. That is the only way a club like Manchester City, who were not always in this position, can grow up and get better.

Pep Guardiola speaking in his post-match conference after the win over Everton

Prediction: Both sides may be forced into rotating their squads with the busy festive period drawing ever closer and therefore City’s superior squad depth, along with the returning De Bruyne and Aguero may prove too much for the Foxes.

Leicester City 1 Manchester City 3