Manchester City had to play a replay against Huddersfield Town after the Sky Blues were unable to get the better of the Championship outfit at the first time of asking. But they were a buoyant bunch as they prepared to face the 2nd division after playing a whirlwind 5-3 win over Monaco in the Champions League. This time Pep Guardiola took no chances and went with a fairly strong team with the exception of youngster Garcia who was deftly given first team action in the midst of a number of honed stars. And although City went down fairly early and in the process conceded their first goal of the FA Cup this season, the way they hit back and dismantled Huddersfield would have got the fans purring in satisfaction.
Three clear cut penalty appeals denied and 2 shots hitting the bar was pushed to the side as City hit 5 past their spirited opponents. It is clear that the Sky Blues will look to play to their strengths over the remainder of the campaign which means their attack. Once again Sane and Sterling were the architects and Sergio Aguero’s return to form continued with 2 goals. They will face Sunderland up next and if City do hit their stride against the struggling Black Cats the 90 minutes could well seem to be much more than that for the home team.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY XI VS SUNDERLAND (4-1-4-1)
DEFENCE
Willy Caballero will be back in the goal and will be looking to keep a clean sheet. The two keepers are failing to convince wholly and keep on trying to cement their place. Zabaleta might be retained at right back after a good attacking display in midweek. Stones and Otamendi will be the centre-back pairing. And the duo will look to sharpen up defensively. There is a dilemma at left-back with Clichy and Kolarov gingerly coming back from injury and we might see Fernandinho taking up that position instead.
MIDFIELD
Yaya Toure is likely to make a comeback into the team and will be the holding midfielder. He has had a fairly good rest. In the slightly advanced positions, we will see Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva line up. Silva will be refreshed after a rest.
ATTACK
The enthralling duo out on the wings will look to get at it again. Sane will be on the left-side with Raheem Sterling lining up on the opposite flank. Sergio Aguero will be the lone striker.
Caballero
Zabaleta- Stones- Otamendi- Fernandinho
Toure
Sterling- De Bruyne- Silva- Sane
Aguero
