Manchester City will look to advance in the FA Cup when they face Middlesbrough on Saturday as the draw against Stoke City seems to have finally extinguished whatever little hope they had of pursuing Chelsea till the end for the title. With the Sky Blues knocked out early from the EFL Cup at the hands of eventual winners, Manchester United and the shocking defensive displays at times from the Citizens, it is safe to assume they might not make it all the way in the Champions League if they indeed manage to hold on to their advantage over Monaco in the 2nd leg.
Thus, FA Cup looks their most likely opportunity for a trophy and it is important City stay in the hunt and give it their best shot or else Pep Guardiola might get another dubious record of not winning a single trophy in a season for the first time.
With mostly non-flattering records coming Pep’s way since joining City, this is something the Sky Blues will not want to be a part of. They face a defensively solid Middlesbrough team who will back themselves to frustrate City at the Riverside Stadium after successfully doing it against a full-strength City already at the Etihad this season. Having played a tiring draw against Stoke and a crucial match against Monaco coming up, it will be interesting to see Pep’s approach.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY XI VS MIDDLESBROUGH (4-1-4-1)
DEFENCE
Bravo will be the custodian between the sticks after finding himself as the new Cup keeper and he needs to churn out solid displays to have any chance of reclaiming his spot in the first team. Zabaleta is likely to come into the side at right-back. Stones and Otamendi can be selected as the centre-back pairing with the young Englishman fresh from a rest in midweek. Clichy can well start at left-back.
MIDFIELD
Fernando might get a rare start if Pep decides to rest Fernandinho and Yaya Toure with such an important game coming up. Fernando has been impressive in his cameo appearances but needs to show more if he is to carry on after this season as well. In the slightly advanced midfield position, we are likely to see either Delph or Garcia who will be partnered by David Silva who is in line to start.
ATTACK
On the left-flank, we might see Raheem Sterling start or Pep might go for Nolito and put Sterling in his usual right-wing slot. Iheanacho might get a rare start up front if the Catalan decides to give Aguero a rest.