Middlesbrough vs Manchester City
Date: 11th March 2017
Kick off at 12:15 UK/13:15 CET
Venue: Riverside Stadium
Middlesbrough host Manchester City this weekend in the hope of causing a major cup upset and securing themselves a place in the semi-finals.
The game is hugely important for both teams but for different reasons. Middlesbrough will be hoping to taste some cup success as the league is not looking so good for them this season. An FA cup win is just what Boro may need to restart their season.
Manchester City will be looking to go all the way in this cup as it is most likely their only chance of silverware this season. The Premier League title seems out of their reach now. They did not win the League cup and although they are still in the Champions League, after their defensive display against Monaco, it would be highly unlikely for City to go all the way in the competition. Especially if and when they have to play the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Therefore the FA Cup seems like Pep’s best bet of winning silverware this season.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough are having a less than stellar 2017 performance in the league this year. They have managed to pick up just 4 points and are yet to register a win. However, the FA Cup may just be their saving grace. In fact, Middlesbrough have already won three FA Cup ties this year. Meaning they have won more games in the cup than they have in the league.
So far the Teessider’s have seen off Sheffield Wednesday, Accrington Stanley and Oxford United securing themselves a place in the quarter-finals. This will make City, Boro’s toughest test so far. However, they will be hoping to slay the giants and progress to the next round.
Injury news: Callum Chambers remains a doubt. Middlesbrough should have everyone else available for the cup tie.
Manchester City
City will be going into this game full of confidence. The Blues have managed to already see off West Ham, Crystal Palace and Huddersfield to get to the 5th round. After putting five past Huddersfield in their replay and putting eight in total past West Ham and Palace, City will surely be looking for an easy win against struggling Middlesbrough.
Largely because if he fails to secure a trophy this season it will be the first year he has gone as a manager without silverware. Therefore the FA Cup seems like his best chance as Real Madrid or Bayern Munich will most likely win the Champions League.
Injury news: Jesus and Gundogan remain out. Kompany is back in training and may feature. City have no fresh injuries going into this game.
Predicted Line-Ups
Middlesbrough XI: Valdes, Fabio, Gibson, Espinosa, Friend, De Roon, Clayton, Leadbitter, Stuani, Ramirez, Gestede
Manchester City XI: Bravo, Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Clichy, Sane, Fernando, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Sterling, Aguero
Middlesbrough vs Manchester City Prediction
If this was a league game, a win for Boro would be out of the question. However, the FA Cup is full of surprises and Middlesbrough’s cup form is much better than their league form. Furthermore, City played a league game on Wednesday and have their Champions League tie against Monaco the following Wednesday.
Therefore City may be less fit than Middlesbrough for the match and may also want to rest some key players for their bout against Monaco the Wednesday after the game.
Prediction: 2-1 Middlesbrough
Bets
Middlesbrough: 5/1
Draw: 3/1
Manchester City: 8/15
