Leicester City have a tiny chance of making the semifinals of the Capital One Cup when they take on Manchester City in the last eight on Tuesday, primarily because the tie will be played at the King Power Stadium and not the Etihad. If the quarterfinal fixture was drawn to be held at City's home ground, then Leicester might as well have not bothered turning up.
However, playing at home in a knockout tie of the League Cup, any team has a chance, and Leicester will be dreaming of stopping the City juggernaut, purring after that 6-3 victory over Arsenal on Saturday.
The City match is the second of a massive three-game week for Leicester, currently third in the Championship standings. Nigel Pearson's men drew with second-placed Burnley 1-1 at the weekend, and following Tuesday's encounter, waiting in the wings will be a high-profile match against leaders Queens Park Rangers.
"We've got to see it as another game," Leicester's Liam Moore told Foxes Player. "It's a great fixture for the fans and a great fixture on Tuesday before another game at Queens Park Rangers. These are what players look forward to -- two top of the league clashes and a massive cup draw.
"We're definitely not going into the game thinking that we're not going to get anything from it. You saw the commitment of the players [against Burnley] going forward and defending, that will be 100 percent the same on Tuesday.
"We'll give them everything we've got. If they bring their 'A' game and we do and they manage to win the game then we'll hold our hands up but me personally, if I play then I'll be giving nothing less than 100 percent
"I thoroughly believe we can beat them."
Considering the form that City are on at the moment, only a very brave man would put their money on Leicester pulling off a massive upset in the Capital One Cup quarterfinals. Their attacking prowess, at home, is untouchable, and if Manuel Pellegrini's men can find anywhere near that kind of form away, then Leicester will find it hard to keep up with their opponents on Tuesday.
"The Capital One Cup is very important," Pellegrini said. "That's why we have tried from the beginning to play with a good team. A final at Wembley is always important."
Team news: Leicester City: Chris Wood (hamstring) will miss the City tie along with Sean St. Ledger (groin) and Tom Hopper (shin). Ritchie De Laet, however, made his return from injury at the weekend.
Manchester City: Pellegrini will have to do without the services of Sergio Aguero, who could be out for at least a month with a calf injury, picked up during the win over Arsenal. Micah Richards and Matija Nastasic remain sidelined, but Stevan Jovetic is set to feature in the matchday squad.
Pellegrini is also expected to make a few changes to his side, with several big names likely to be rested.
Key men: Leicester City: David Nugent is the top scorer for the Foxes and Pearson will hope the former Portsmouth striker will continue to bang in the goals.
Manchester City: Edin Dzeko is expected to be given the opportunity to shine from the start, and the striker, who has scored in both of City's Capital One Cup victories this season, will want to take a claim for a regular starting place.
Where to Watch Live
The game is scheduled for a 1.15 am IST start on Wednesday early morning with live coverage on Ten Sports. There is no official live streaming option available in India. You can catch all the action live in the Middle East and North Africa by clicking HERE. To listen to all the action in the U.K., click HERE. Latin America viewers can live stream the match HERE.
Expected lineups: Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Moore, Konchesky, Knockaert, Drinkwater, James, Dyer, Nugent, Taylor-Fletcher.
Manchester City: Hart; Boyata, Lescott, Demichelis; Garcia, Rodwell; Navas, Jovetic, Milner; Dzeko.
Prediction: 2-0 to Manchester City
