Haaland Injury Update: Manchester City Striker Expected To Miss Five To Seven Weeks With Ankle Injury

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Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is sidelined for five to seven weeks due to an ankle injury. His absence began with Wednesday's match against Leicester City. Haaland scored City's equaliser in their 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, securing a spot in the FA Cup semi-final. He was substituted in the 61st minute and left the stadium on crutches. Omar Marmoush replaced him and scored City's second goal shortly after.

Despite Manchester City's struggles in the Premier League title race this season, Haaland has maintained his impressive goal-scoring form. He has netted 30 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions. Only Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, and Mohamed Salah have scored more among players from Europe's top five leagues.

Since joining Manchester City in 2022, Haaland has been instrumental in their success. With him starting, City have won 66% of their Premier League matches (62 out of 94). Interestingly, they have a higher win percentage without him, winning eight out of 11 games (72.7%). They also average the same number of goals per game without him starting.

Haaland previously missed nearly two months due to injury between December 2023 and January 2024. During that period, City remained unbeaten in 11 matches across all competitions (10 wins, one draw) and lifted the Club World Cup trophy.

Pep Guardiola expressed confidence that Manchester City can cope without Haaland against Leicester City. Leicester are struggling this season, sitting nine points from safety after losing 13 of their last 14 Premier League games. They have failed to score in their last six matches.

In English top-flight history, only three teams have lost seven consecutive games without scoring: Sunderland (eight losses in January 1977), Ipswich Town (seven losses in April 1995), and Crystal Palace (eight losses in September 2017).

Leicester City's Struggles

Leicester City's manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has faced challenges this season, losing 13 of his 16 games in charge (81.3%). This is the joint-second highest loss rate for any manager leading a club for at least 15 games in the competition.

Mads Hermansen will be crucial for Leicester as they aim to avoid conceding first again. They have conceded the first goal in 24 of their 29 Premier League matches this season, which is at least five more than any other team.

Marmoush's Role and Match Prediction

Omar Marmoush is expected to play as a number nine during Haaland's absence. All four of his Premier League goals this season have been scored at home, making him a key player for City at Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City are predicted to win against Leicester City due to their strong performance record. Leicester have had the fewest shots and expected goals among all Premier League teams this season. In contrast, only Liverpool have attempted more shots than City.

City's Winning Streaks

Manchester City have won each of their last 13 Premier League games played in April. Only Liverpool and Manchester United have had longer winning runs in a specific month within the competition's history.

The Opta win probability suggests a high chance of victory for Manchester City at 75.4%, while Leicester City's chances stand at just 10.5%. A draw is considered less likely with a probability of 14.1%.