Manchester City vs Huddersfield Town

City or Huddersfield?

There is only one match still to settle from the FA Cup fifth round weekend.

After playing out a 0-0 draw at the John Smith Stadium, Huddersfield head to the Etihad looking to dump Manchester City out of the Cup.

 

Team News

Pep Guardiola has a near full squad to choose from with only Gabriel Jesus and Vincent Kompany out injured.

Gael Clichy could return after recovering from a back issue.

Huddersfield are missing Aaron Mooy, who’s ineligible to face his parent club.

Christopher Schindler and Kasey Palmer join him on the sidelines after picking up injuries.

Nahki Wells is a doubt due to an ankle problem.

 

Priorities lie elsewhere?

Both clubs certainly wouldn’t of wanted this replay with their priorities lying elsewhere.

Manchester City are currently in a battle to finish in the Premier League’s top four and would surely look to avoid a fixture congestion, by progressing in the FA Cup.

Huddersfield however are looking to gain promotion from the Championship and will be wary of progressing further.

The winner will travel to the Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough in the Quarter Final on Saturday 10th March. The match is a 12:15pm kick off with extra time and penalties required if necessary.

 

Prediction

Neutrals could be in for a tight match because both sides are yet to concede this season in the FA Cup.

City might of won their last seven in all competitions but have spent the past week in the Middle East. Could the trip come back to bite them on the bum like it did against Boro in January 2015?

The Citizens have struggled in recent cup matches against lower league opposition with two of those defeats coming on their home turf.

If extra time and penalties are needed, any lingering jet lag could well come into play.

Man City should just about edge through in normal time if Aguero can get firing quickly.

Prediction: Manchester City 1-0 Huddersfield Town

Result: Manchester City 5-1 Huddersfield Town

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.