Manchester City vs. Huddersfield: FA Cup 2017 Team News, Live Stream, TV Info
Manchester City will look to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup when they face up to Huddersfield Town at the Etihad Stadium for a fifth-round replay on Wednesday.
The first contest between the two sides at John Smith's Stadium ended in a goalless draw, but Sky Blues manager Pep Guardiola will be confident his side can find the net at home, especially after their recent 5-3 victory over Monaco in the UEFA Champions League.
However, Terriers boss David Wagner will also be buoyed by a tournament of numerous shocks in 2017 and look to oust one of the country's biggest clubs on their home turf to set up a last-eight clash with Middlesbrough.
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Read on for a full preview of an intriguing fixture, along with scheduling and television information.
Date: Wednesday, March 1
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT, 2:45 p.m. ET
TV Info: Live on BBC One (UK), FS1 (U.S.)
Live Stream: BBC iPlayer, Fox Sports Go
Team News
City captain Vincent Kompany is reportedly set to start against the Terriers, per Jack Watts of the Daily Star.
The injury-prone Belgian missed the recent victory over Monaco because of a knee problem, but manager Pep Guardiola said ahead of the European match "he will be ready" to face Huddersfield, per The Independent's Jack de Menezes.
Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan both remain sidelined due to long-term injuries, but City have the majority of their squad available to face the Championship side.
For Huddersfield, defender Christopher Schindler will not be available after he was injured in Saturday's clash with Barnsley, per The Sun's Richard Forrester.
Possible City XI: Bravo; Sagna, Otamendi, Kompany, Clichy; Delph, Fernando, Garcia; Navas, Aguero, Nolito
Possible Huddersfield XI: Coleman; Cranie, Hudson, Stankovic, Holmes-Dennis; Whitehead, Billing; Lolley, Payne, Van La Parra; Quaner
Preview
Huddersfield are enjoying a terrific season in 2016-17 and sit third in the Championship following a run of 15 league games in which they have suffered just a single defeat.
City, meanwhile, have endured their struggles in the current campaign but have shown fine form of late, winning five of their last six in all competitions.
The Sky Blues' thrilling 5-3 victory over Monaco showed that they have attacking talent to spare, but their defensive frailties remain apparent.
However, despite their excellent recent displays, Huddersfield do not boast the same quality in attack as the Ligue 1 leaders and so will likely not be able to expose as many problems in the City back line.
Given the resources Guardiola has available to him and the fact Wednesday's game is at the Etihad Stadium, anything other than a City win would be a huge upset.
Even if the Spanish manager decides to rest the in-form likes of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane he still has Nolito, Jesus Navas and Kelechi Iheanacho to call upon, all of whom will be eager to show their best form.
Sergio Aguero could also prove vital. He has the ability to cause problems for any defence in the world and looked to be back to his best against Monaco after a recent dip in form and spell on the bench, per BBC Sport's Phil McNulty:
Huddersfield's best chance of victory will be if they can stifle City early on and find a goal on the break or from a set piece.
Guardiola will be eager for it not to come to that and will surely set his team up to attack from the off and claim an early goal that would put City firmly in the driving seat to reach the last eight.
