Manchester City vs. Leicester City: Team News, Preview and TV Info

Having suffered two soul-destroying defeats in their last two games, the kind which can ruin a season, Manchester City desperately need a result when they take on Leicester City on Wednesday evening. Losses to Barcelona at home and against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday have left City staring down the barrel of a Champions League exit and five points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea having played a game extra.

Leicester, too, need a result, though. They have taken just eight points from their last 10 league matches, leaving them at the foot of the table. Relegation back down to the Championship is looking increasingly likely for Nigel Pearson's men.

Form Guide (Last five results for both teams)

City

Liverpool 2-1 City

City 1-2 Barcelona (UEFA Champions League)

City 5-0 Newcastle

Stoke 1-4 City

City 1-1 Hull

Leicester

Everton 2-2 Leicester

Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester (FA Cup)

Arsenal 2-1 Leicester

Leicester 0-1 Crystal Palace

Man United 3-1 Leicester

Predicted Formations

City

There has been criticism of the City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, with some suggesting his tactical rigidity is to blame for his side's poor season. He favours a 4-4-2 system, which often works fine against lesser sides who struggle to cope with their firepower, but one which can look too open against technically gifted sides.

He is likely to stick with it for this match, though, with Wilfried Bony likely to get his first start. Everyone in the City squad is fit and available.

Bleacher Report

Leicester

It's been a difficult few weeks for Leicester who haven't won a Premier League game since January. Kasper Schmeichel, the former City man, remains sidelined with a foot injury and is still one or two weeks away from a return.

Bleacher Report

Players to Watch

City: Yaya Toure

City's Ivorian midfielder, Yaya Toure, missed much of January when he was on international duty, and it was clear City missed him hugely.

He is a unique talent, a player capable of turning defence into attack single-handedly. He possesses power, pace and dribbling ability, yet the intelligence with which he plays the game can sometimes go unnoticed. He's a wonderful passer, capable of precision and penetration, and it's a mix of attributes which makes him so difficult to nullify.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Leicester: Esteban Cambiasso

It was seen as somewhat of a coup by Leicester when they announced the signing of Esteban Cambiasso in the summer, and it's proven to be a smart piece of business.

He may be 34 and past his very best, but three goals and 19 Premier League appearances are proof he has enduring quality and high fitness levels. He has been arguably Leicester's most creative player, too, with his ability to provide key passes and through balls one of their most potent attacking threats.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Key Battle: Wilfried Bony vs. Matthew Upson

With Wilfried Bony confined to a role from the bench so far in his City career, it seems likely he will be given the nod to start this game. It's a big chance for City's January signing to show what he can do and stake a claim for a regular first-team place.

Leicester's 35-year-old defender Matthew Upson, a former West Ham and Arsenal player, will be given the responsibility of stopping him. Upson is vastly experienced and has performed well for Leicester this season.

Bony's pace and movement is likely to cause him problems, though, and with the Ivorian keen to impress, it could be a difficult evening for Upson.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Odds (via OddsShark.com)

City: 2/7

Leicester: 12/1

Draw: 6/1

TV Listing

Highlights of the match can be seen on BBC One at 10:45 p.m..

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.