Huddersfield Town v Manchester City Preview
By: Dehinbo Timothy
Manchester City will be looking to continue their recent form on Saturday when they visit Huddersfield town at the John Smith’s Stadium in the FA Cup fifth round.
Manchester City side moved into second place with 8 points behind table toppers in the Premier League on Monday, as they were 2-0 winners over Bournemouth, with Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling goals.
The Noisy Neighbours look to be back in the nice city again, after a poor festive period.
Huddersfield’s main aim this season is having promotion to the Premier League, but manager David Wagner will relish the challenge of going up against an elite opponent.
The Terriers have been in sensational form as of late, winning their last six matches in all competitions.
Coach Wagner was without Jonathan Hogg for the win over Rotherham United on Tuesday due to a groin problem, while Chris Lowe also missed out with a hamstring issue. Additionally, Sean Scannell, Harry Bunnand Kasey Palmer were all absent.
Guardiola will be without Gabriel Jesus for the majority of the campaign after he broke his metatarsal against Bournemouth, while Ilkay Gundogan is another long-term absentee.
The manager could give captain Vincent Kompany a chance to prove his fitness. Given they are still battling for the Premier League title and have a testing tie in the UEFA Champions League to come on Tuesday against AS Monaco, the FA Cup won’t be a big priority for Guardiola, though won’t be overlooked.
Pep will be desperate for the team to continue performing well, especially those in the final third. Wagner has moved the Terriers up to third in the Championship table, with the team playing some beautiful football in the process. The manager always encourages his men to operate on the front foot, and before a sell-out crowd on Saturday, don’t expect the hosts to take a step back.
Although both sides will have their eye on other accomplishments between now and the end of the season, this fifth- round encounter should be an absorbing spectacle.
In Kachunga, Brown and Wells, Wagner has tremendous variety to call upon in the attacking positions, and should City defend with the lackadaisical streak we’ve seen from them frequently under Guardiola, a big upset may be on the cards.
City look to have turned a corner, though. A month ago, Huddersfield may have represented excellent value to spring a surprise, but Guardiola’s men are looking focused with the crunch matches coming thick and fast.
Huddersfield have the quality to hurt the visitors, but the Premier League side will eventually stamp their authority on the tie and win.
PREDICTION: HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1-3 MANCHESTER CITY
