Verdict: Leroy Sane to score anytime
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Bet365
Manchester City remain on course for an unprecedented quadruple as they take on Swansea City in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.
Swansea
Starting with the hosts, coming off the back of a very poor display in their 3-0 hammering away at managerless West Brom in midweek, Swansea have drastically struggled upon their return to the Championship. Now sat way down in 15th position, Graham Potter’s side are currently chasing a nine-point deficit and are someway off the most extraordinary of playoff pushes. While the Welsh side may have managed to book their spot in the quarter-finals of this year’s FA Cup thanks to a commanding 4-1 win over fellow Championship outfit Brentford last month, their form since then will be a huge concern for fans around the Liberty Stadium. Swansea have now lost three of their last four appearances and have recorded just a single league victory since the start of February. Despite facing an unenviable task this weekend, the Whites’ form in South Wales has undoubtedly been their strongest area. Potter’s men have remarkably not lost a match at the Liberty since Boxing Day, a seven-match unbeaten run.
Team News
Swansea’s top scorer Oli McBurnie has been struggling with illness so is unlikely to start but could still be used from the bench.
Cameron Carter-Vickers should have shaken off a knock but Kyle Naughton is a doubt with a groin/hamstring issue.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, putting seven past Schalke and booking a tie with Tottenham in this year’s Champions League quarter-finals, the mood in Manchester City’s camp couldn’t be any higher. Currently holding a one-point buffer over Liverpool in the race to defend their Premier League title, Pep Guardiola is now watching his side enjoy a 10-match winning run, a run that also saw them lift the EFL Cup at Wembley last month. With the former Barcelona boss firmly dreaming of a historic quadruple-winning season, it has unsurprisingly been their form in the final third really spearheading their charge for silverware. No team across any of Europe’s top-tiers hold a better attacking record than the Sky Blues and they have scored at least four goals in each of their three FA Cup games this season. One man who will be looking to relish his rare opportunity in City’s starting XI will be Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus. The 21-year-old has been involved in 10 goals in six domestic cup starts this season, scoring seven goals.
Team News
Manchester City will be without defender John Stones, who has not yet fully recovered from a groin strain.
Kevin de Bruyne and Vincent Kompany, who missed Tuesday’s Champions League win, are also still sidelined.
Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester City have won 10 of the past 11 meetings in all competitions.
- They won the two league encounters last season by an aggregate score of 9-0.
- This is the first ever FA Cup meeting between Swansea and Manchester City.
- Since reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals, Swansea have lost three of their four games.
- Manchester City have lost just once since Boxing Day, and won the EFL Cup last month.
Conclusion
On paper, Pep Guardiola should see Saturday as a golden opportunity to move one step close to lifting another piece of silverware. With City expected to still name a squad glittering with talent, it is hard to see anything other than a conniving display for the defending Premier League champions. Given Swansea have now lost four of their last five matches against Championship opposition, we’re backing another difficult afternoon for Saturday’s hosts.
Verdict: Leroy Sane to score anytime
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Bet365
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
