Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will be relieved with their result in the Premier League in the previous round and he will hope that his team can keep up the good work for the rest of the season. The Citizens are close to Chelsea in the points table but have little chance of overtaking them, leaving the FA Cup as the real chance of some silverware for the Spanish manager in his first year in England. Manchester City beat West Ham and Crystal Palace in the last two rounds of the competition and were finally given an easy fixture in Huddersfield in the 5th round. Guardiola will have to travel to the Kirklees stadium on Saturday and he will hope that his team can finish the work off on the night. Here is the predicted lineup that the manager might field for this game:
Team News:
Pep Guardiola will be without the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus, both of whom are on the long-term injury list. They remain the only absentees for this trip to Kirklees.
Expected lineup (4-1-4-1):
Claudio Bravo:
No more the first choice in the league, Bravo, is expected to get back into action this weekend in the FA Cup.
Pablo Zabaleta:
The Argentine has been decent at the back for City and will hope to have a comfortable game against the Championship outfit.
Vincent Kompany:
The skipper of the side, Kompany, is back to full fitness and Guardiola will hope to see a solid performance from his star defender.
John Stones:
The English star has not been at his best recently and Guardiola should give him a chance to get his confidence back in this tie.
Gael Clichy:
Giving Kolarov a break, Clichy, who has been decent this season for City, should take this place in the left side of the defense for the visitors.
Fernandinho:
The Brazilian midfielder is expected play in a deep role for City in this tie against Huddersfield town.
Fernando:
The forgotten midfielder, Fernando, should partner his national compatriot in the midfield for Manchester City in this clash.
Jesus Navas:
The pacey winger has found it hard to move into the first team at the club and will hope to win the trust of his manager in this tie.
Kevin de Bruyne:
The Belgian has been at the heart of most things going well at the Etihad and he will have an important role to play at the weekend.
Nolito:
Having lost his place in the first team under Guardiola, Nolito has a great chance to get back into the plans of the manager with a commanding performance in this game.
Kelechi Iheanacho:
The youngster has been in superb form for City this season and he will have to be at his best if City are to finish this tie off in the first leg.