Match to be played on Sunday March 9 2014 at 16:05 GMT. Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
Manchester City will be sky high on confidence this weekend following their League Cup final win against Sunderland.
City have the chance to gain some revenge over the side that defeated them in last season’s FA Cup final when they entertain defending cup holders Wigan Athletic at the Etihad Stadium.
Manuel Pellegrini must judge whether to play his best eleven or whether to hold stars back for the Champions League game next week.
Here’s the side he could go with.
GK – Costel Pantilimon
Pantilimon has been an able deputy to Joe Hart in cup football this season and he could get the nod to start the game.
RB – Pablo Zabaleta
The Argentinean is an extremely experienced and efficient right-back. He can offer something in this game at both ends of the pitch.
CB – Joleon Lescott
Lescott is a very solid central defender to have coming into the side. It’s a chance for him to stake a claim that he should be featuring more for Pellegrini over the rest of the season.
CB – Martin Demichelis
Big questions have hung over the defender already this season. It’s a chance for him to get some form under his belt before he’s placed under the magnifying glass in the Champions League against Barcelona.
LB – Gael Clichy
Clichy is a good player to have coming into the side for this game. His pace and his fitness mean there will be little let up for Wigan on the left.
RM – James Milner
Milner has slotted in all across the City midfield during his time with the club. He’s a very reliable player to have coming into the side and he’ll work hard regardless of the opponents and the competition.
CM – Fernandinho
Fernandinho will be urged to be the creative force in midfield. Don’t be at all surprised if he gets taken off quickly should City be on top.
CM – Javi Garcia
Garcia can come into the team and play a defensive role in front of the back four. He’ll look to break up the play and move the ball on as quickly as possible.
LM – Jesus Navas
One change Pellegrini could consider is slotting Navas in on the other side of the midfield to where he normally plays on the right. He’s a very good player to have cutting in and making the most of his dangerous right foot.
ST – Stevan Jovetic
Jovetic will see this as a great chance to place some pressure on Pellegrini ahead of the trip to the Nou Camp.
ST – Alvaro Negredo
Negredo probably wouldn’t have started this match had Edin Dzeko not played the full game for Bosnia during the international break. Don’t be surprised if Negredo starts with Dzeko coming on if he’s recovered.
image: © geetarchurchy
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