Defending Premier League champions Manchester City will face off against mid-table Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in a FA Cup fifth round clash at Hillsborough Stadium on Wednesday.
On paper, City should easily win the game as there is clearly a gulf between the two sides.
Pep Guardiola’s men will also be hungry to defend their FA Cup title after having successfully retained their League Cup crown last week.
City will have to do without the services of Sergio Aguero after the veteran was injured whilst playing in the League Cup final against Aston Villa, according to Goal.
Aymeric Laporte will also definitely miss the game whilst winger Leroy Sane remains short of fitness, added the report.
In spite of the injuries, City are still vastly stronger than Wednesday.
Garry Monk’s side can at least take comfort from the fact that major shocks do happen in football and in cup competitions especially.
The game marks the first time that Manchester City are taking on the Owls since a FA Cup clash in January 2015. The Citizens won the game 2-1.
City have won the last three consecutive games between the teams in all competitions. Wednesday have not beaten the Citizens since a 3-1 Premier League win in November 1993.
City should not relax during the game. At this point in time, the Champions League and the FA Cup should be a priority seeing that they are now virtually out of the title race this season.
Winning the remaining two trophies on offer would prove that Guardiola’s side are still a dominant force even though they have been below par by their standards in the top-flight this season.
