Manchester City will have to navigate a 5th round replay against Huddersfield Town after the return from their warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi. The Sky Blues failed to get past the resilient and impressive Championship side, who themselves had a weakened team selected for the tie. But Pep’s strategy did not pay off totally as although they did win the ensuing Champions League clash against Monaco, they failed to finish the FA Cup game in the first leg and now have another fixture crammed into a fairly busy schedule.
City have hit a purple patch in recent weeks when it comes to goals and unlike in the middle of the season where they failed to put away the chances created, now they are at least capitalising on them. Sergio Aguero looks rejuvenated after his unexpected return to the starting XI after an unfortunate injury to Gabriel Jesus. With a Premier League game just days after the Cup replay, it is safe to assume that they will probably not be playing their full strength team.
With Jose Mourinho winning the EFL Cup with Manchester United, the pressure is on Pep to deliver some silverware across the city at Etihad. While they are favourites to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals, winning the competition might be too farfetched and with Chelsea 11 points ahead in the League, the FA Cup might well be a realistic option.
Predicted 4-1-4-1 Manchester City Lineup To Destroy Huddersfield Town
DEFENCE
Caballero is likely to be rested for the Premier League and Bravo will continue in his new role as the Cup keeper. He has a point to prove and it is about time he makes a statement with his saves rather than make the news for the goof ups. Zabaleta is likely to start at right-back while Kompany is likely to be fit and will start alongside Otamendi. Clichy will be at left-back after he missed out on the latest flurry of action due to a niggle.
MIDFIELD
Fernando is likely to be the holding midfielder and will look to put in a good shift and aid his chances of staying at the club beyond the summer. In the slightly advanced midfield berths, Delph is likely to get another chance and in all probability his last chance to impress. Alongside him, Pep might go for Silva or De Bruyne as they missed the requisite quality in the final third in the first leg.
ATTACK
The disappointing duo of Navas and Nolito might get another chance on the flanks like Delph and with someone like a Silva or De Bruyne, will hope for more cohesion and better supply. Iheanacho might get a surprise call with Aguero coming off the bench.
