Huddersfield Town will face Manchester City on Wednesday 1 March at the Etihad Stadium
Huddersfield Town will travel to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 1 March to face Manchester City in an Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round replay in front of the BBC cameras.David Wagner’s side goes into the game with just one defeat in its last 18 games in all competition knowing that a win will take them into the Quarter-Finals of the world’s oldest competition for the first time since 1972.
David Wagner’s in-form Terriers face one of the toughest possible tests against the former Premier League champions in a bid to reach the Sixth Round of the world’s oldest competitions.
Whilst Wednesday night’s opponent, Manchester City come into the game on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run.
THE OPPOSITION
Manchester City currently sits third in the Premier League table, eleven points adrift of current league leaders Chelsea and a point behind second placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite being knocked out in the Round of 16 in the Capital One Cup, Pep Guardiola's (above) side are still competing in three competitions; the Champions League, Premier League, and the Emirates FA Cup. Most recently beating Monaco to give his side an advantage in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Like Huddersfield Town, Manchester City is yet to concede in the Emirates FA Cup and has conceded just four goals in its last six games.
Despite having the best away form in the Premier League, the Citizens have only picked up the eighth highest points tally on their own turf.
Guardiola’s side has only won seven of its 12 home league games this season but has only lost one, in a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in December.
MAN CITY: PLAYERS TO WATCH
It’s unsure exactly which players Guardiola will field for the match, despite the Citizen’s scheduled game the weekend before being moved due to Manchester United’s EFL Cup Final.
The experienced Sergio Agüero (below) is one of the world's best natural goal scorers and will provide a major threat to the Huddersfield defence if he plays. With 19 goals to his name already this season, he is a man in form. Always looking to spring the offside trap, Agüero can also use his body to protect and hold up play, bringing the rest of the team into an attack.
Inside forward Nolito will be looking to link up with Agüero in City attacks and create chances from out wide. The Spaniard has two assists and four goals to his name so far in the Premier League and will prove to be a test for the Town defence.
At the back, Aleksandar Kolarov provides a wealth of knowledge and experience to the City defence. Always looking to push on and join in the attack, Kolarov often helps provide both goals and assists all whilst remaining solid defensively.
MAN CITY: JANUARY TRANSFERS
Whilst Manchester City did not officially sign anybody in January, the pre-agreed transfer for Gabriel Jesus (pictured below) took place with the forward joining the Club after officially signing for a fee of £27 million in the summer.
Jesus has made a big impact since moving to England scoring three goals in his first two appearances for the club. However, after suffering a broken metatarsal at AFC Bournemouth on Monday night, he will be missing for a minimum of six weeks.
As well as loaning out a plethora of youngsters, City also sold Republic of Ireland Under-21 midfielder Jack Byrne to Town’s Sky Bet Championship rival Wigan Athletic.
MAN CITY’S LAST LINE-UP:
GK Willy Caballero
DL Fernandinho
DC Nicolás Otamendi
DC John Stones
DR Bacary Sagna
MC Yaya Touré
MC David Silva
MC Kevin De Bruyne
AML Leroy Sané
ST Sergio Agüero
AMR Raheem Sterling
MAN CITY: TEAM NEWS
Pep Guardiola has the same number of players to choose from as he did when the two sides played earlier this month.
He will be without promising forward, Gabriel Jesus who suffered a broken metatarsal against AFC Bournemouth and German midfielder, Ilkay Gundogan who will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury he picked up in December.
TOWN: TEAM NEWS
On-loan Chelsea midfielder Kasey Palmer is still unavailable to David Wagner after picking up a hamstring injury against Leeds, as well as fellow midfielder Jonathan Hogg who suffered a groin problem in the victory against QPR.
Sean Scannell (ankle) is missing until March and Aaron Mooy – on loan from Man City – is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Goalkeeper Joel Coleman is a doubt after picking up a calf injury in Town’s first match against Manchester City, whilst Nahki Wells could also miss out with an ankle problem.
Harry Bunn (below) could return to David Wagner’s squad after returning to training towards the end of last week.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Huddersfield Town earned the replay at the Etihad Stadium after a hard fought 0-0 draw against Manchester City on Saturday 18 February.
Before that match the two sides hadn't faced each other for over a decade, with that meeting taking place in 2000, which saw both teams play out a 1-1 draw in League 1.
1988 was the last time the teams met in FA Cup action, when they played each other on three occasions after two draws. The second replay saw Manchester City progress after a 2-0 victory.
Manchester City has the edge historically with 24 victories against Huddersfield's 22, with 29 draws taking place between them.
TICKET NEWS
Tickets are now on sale to Season Card Holders, Blue & White Foundation members and Patrons:
- Online
- from the Ticket Office
- over the dedicated phone line for Man City tickets only 08444 539080*
Any remaining tickets will go on General Sale online, at the Ticket Office and over the dedicated telephone line for Man City tickets only, 08444 539080* from 9am on Monday 27 February 2017.
To find out more information on Manchester City tickets please click here!
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