MAN CITY v Chelsea – The FA Cup PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team

14 Feb

With this tie, an opportunity for revenge after the recent disappointing loss to Chelsea in the league, coming just three days before the blockbuster meeting with Barcelona, Manuel Pellegrini faces a selection dilemma. Does he send out his strongest side in order to boost confidence and gain momentum following a couple of average results or does he keep his powder dry ahead of the eagerly-awaited Champions League encounter?

Edin Dzeko is a tempting 7/1 to grab the first goal. Vincent Kompany is a cracking 33/1 to do the same with Paddy Power, who are giving new customers a free welcome bet of up to £50!

Either way, Costel Pantilimon looks set to step in for Joe Hart, as has been the case throughout the FA Cup run, whilst Micah Richards will be hoping for a start on the right of defence. Joleon Lescott has featured in every minute of both the Capital One Cup and FA Cup this season and he’ll be hoping to continue that record alongside Vincent Kompany.

James Milner, set to line up in his favoured central midfield role, is 25/1 to score the first goal with William Hill!

Javi Garcia and Samir Nasri are both available according to the manager but it would be a surprise to see either of them start, so with Fernandinho out, James Milner could well keep his place in the centre of midfield, with Yaya Touré operating in a deeper role. Further forward, Sergio Aguero is still on the sidelines and Alvaro Negredo may well be rested for the visit of Barcelona, so Edin Dzeko is expected to lead the line on his own, with David Silva, Jesus Navas and Stevan Jovetic probably supporting him from their attacking midfield berths.

Here is the side Pellegrini could select:

Manchester City 4-2-3-1 football formation

Referee: Phil Dowd.

Prediction: MAN CITY 2 – 2 Chelsea – It’s tough to predict how either side will line up but there will be bundles of quality on show. City will no doubt have at least one eye on Wednesday’s fixture so I’m predicting a draw with goals to be scored by Stevan Jovetic, Jesus Navas, Samuel Eto’o and Eden Hazard.

Pable Zabaleta, such a threat on the attack, is 50/1 with Paddy Power to notch the first goal of the game. Bet with them here and receive a free bet of up to £50!

Fancy Edin Dzeko to open the scoring and the match to finish 2-2? William Hill are offering the astonishing odds of 110/1 for that happen!

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Comments 3 Comments
Categories Match Previews
Author View From A Blue

3 Responses to “MAN CITY v Chelsea – The FA Cup PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team”

Timothy Reid 14/02/2014 at 6:25 pm #

IMO we have reached the time of season when CITY must play there strongest fit 11 in every game!!

We will struggle to advance with our strongest 11 so please Peele don’t mess with the line ups.

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- Blue Bullet 15/02/2014 at 3:43 pm #
  
  Not sure with the number of games left I entirely agree, but I would say we should only rest the odd player when we are as sure as we can be that we’ll get away with it
  
  Reply
Glenn kavanagh 14/02/2014 at 8:07 pm #

Agreed, if nasri starts I’m confident he”ll score, come on boys we owe Joan rivers one’ let’s ruin his make up.

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