Cheltenham Town welcome Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to Whaddon Road in a blockbuster Fourth Round clash as the Robins look to produce a giant killing in this season’s FA Cup.
Victory for Cheltenham or Man City would see them visit the winner of Swansea’s tie against Nottingham Forest in the Fifth Round.
Team News
Chris Hussey could feature for Cheltenham if he recovers from a foot injury.
Lewis Freestone is another doubt as he struggles with a toe injury.
Man City will be without Kevin De Bruyne after the midfielder suffered a hamstring tear during Wednesday’s controversial Premier League win over Aston Villa.
Aymeric Laporte, plus Kyle Walker (both thigh) are doubts but Nathan Ake (muscle) and Sergio Aguero (Coronavirus) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- This is Cheltenham’s first-ever meeting against Manchester City in all competitions.
- Man City have lost just one of their last five FA Cup matches against teams outside of England’s top two divisions (W3, D1, L1).
- Cheltenham have lost each of their last four FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition (L4).
Prediction
Cheltenham come into this game as huge underdogs with just one win in their last eight matches, although they have avoided defeat in six of those eight games overall but they need something huge to swing this game in their favour given City’s superior quality.
Pep Guardiola though could gift some youngsters including Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Tommy Doyle and Liam Delap a chance in the starting eleven, especially with a league trip to West Brom coming up on Tuesday.
I however am still expecting Man City to go to Whaddon Road and ease their way to a comfortable victory, as I just can’t see Cheltenham Town offering much other than a defensive effort to avoid a morale destroying battering.
Prediction: Cheltenham Town 0-3 Manchester City
Result: Cheltenham Town 1-3 Manchester City
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