MCI FA Cup Pre-Match Preview: Man City vs. Huddersfield

Kicking off our 2024 editorial coverage for Manchester City, we welcome City fan Niall Keenan to our MCI team to make his debut for our first pre-match preview.

Manchester City, who triumphed under the Wembley arch last June, will begin 2024 with similar intentions in mind when they host Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup third round this Sunday. The current holders are unbeaten at the Etihad Stadium in almost 14 months while their opponents have only advanced through this stage once in the past five seasons. Having won 25 times on home soil in the past year the Blues are expected to comprehensively sweep aside a Terriers team labouring just above the Championship’s bottom three. 

Predicted line-up: 

Pep Guardiola has almost a full complement to choose from following the turn of the year having welcomed back both Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku to training in midweek. Kevin De Bruyne was involved in City’s matchday squad for the first time since August last weekend for the 2-0 win over Sheffield United and could be in line for an appearance. However, John Stones (ankle) remains a concern, while Kalvin Phillips’ appearance amid uncertainty over his future appears improbable. 

Starting XI: Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Gvardiol, Gomez; Rodri, Nunes; Silva, Foden, Bobb; Alvarez Cup tournaments usually bring about rare starts for Stefan Ortega and Sergio Gomez while Rico Lewis will likely deputise for Kyle Walker. After five successive starts Nathan Ake could drop to the bench this weekend allowing Josko Gvardiol to revert to the heart of City’s defence having played predominantly at left-back since his arrival in Manchester. 

Matheus Nunes may also be set for another start having impressed recently in the Club World Cup alongside midfield metronome Rodri. Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden have been chief creators in the absence of De Bruyne while a sublime pre-assist for City’s second against the Blades last Saturday could see Oscar Bobb rewarded with a starting berth in the forward line. Julian Alvarez has grabbed four goals in his last three games and with Haaland returning to full fitness the Argentine seems likely to lead the line once more. 

Predicted Man of the Match:

Ever since switching to a central role, Foden has flourished and his midas touch has inspired City to four straight victories. The 23-year-old has been hailed as ‘exceptional’ by his boss following recent performances. City’s passage through Darren Moore’s charges is expected to come via the Blues’ no.47, who has scored twice and assisted another two goals in his last three outings. The 31-cap ace has been in scintillating form of late and will likely terrorise the visiting Terriers’ defence with a stellar showing worthy of the man of the match award.

5 Fun Facts:

Written by: Niall Keenan

Edited by: SHEIKH