Manchester City: Citizens Draw Huddersfield Town in F.A. Cup

By Larry Henry | Jan 31, 2017

Manchester City's German midfielder Leroy Sane (L) celebrates scoring their second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park in south London on January 28, 2017. / AFP / Ben STANSALL / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) /

Crystal Palace’s Scottish midfielder James McArthur (L) takes on Manchester City’s Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure (R) during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park in south London on January 28, 2017. / AFP / Ben STANSALL / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

Crystal Palace’s Scottish midfielder James McArthur (L) takes on Manchester City’s Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure (R) during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park in south London on January 28, 2017. / AFP / Ben STANSALL / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) /

On Monday, Manchester City found out their opponent for the English F.A. Cup fifth round.

Pep Guardiola‘s Citizens will travel to Championship-side Huddersfield Town on the weekend of February 18-19. Manchester City soundly defeated Crystal Palace 3-0 in the fourth round this past weekend, while Huddersfield defeated third-tier Rochdale 4-0.

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This will be the first meeting between the two sides since 2000. The sides have not met in the F.A. Cup since 1988, which Manchester City won 3-0. Overall, in 74 meetings between the two sides, Manchester City has won 24 matches, while Huddersfield has won 22.

David Wagner‘s side currently sit in fifth place in the EFL Championship, with 49 points in 27 matches. In their two matches in the F.A. Cup, they have won by a combined scoreline of 8-0.

Strikers Elias Kachunga (eight goals, two assists) and Nahki Wells (seven goals) are two weapons in attack for Wagner’s side. Midfielder Kasey Palmer (four goals, three assists) and defender Tom Smith (seven assists) are two additional players to keep an eye on during the tie.

Overall, this is a tricky match for Pep’s men away from home. Huddersfield are fifth in points deserved at home, and will look to knock off the Premier League giants. Also, three days later will be their first leg in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 against Monaco.

Strong showings against West Ham and Crystal Palace show why Manchester City are deserving at making a real run at the trophy. Defensively, they have been solid at the back, keeping back-to-back clean sheets. Also, with the return of defender Vincent Kompany and addition of forward Gabriel Jesus, this gives Pep extra bodies for this competition.

When asked by the Manchester Evening News on the draw and the run of tough matches, Kompany believes the team shouldn’t underestimate any opponent. “It keeps the team awake. We did lose against Wigan in the quarter-finals at home and in the final of the cup so we’ll take any game. We just need to ensure that together with our fans and all the backroom staff we keep the lads always on their toes.”

I feel with the importance of this competition, Pep will set the team up strongly. They will be favorites to advance, and they should be with the amount of talent they have. Huddersfield could provide a stubborn test, especially at home but Manchester City will advance to the quarterfinals.

Next: EPL Match Day 23 Predictions: Manchester City travels to London

Be sure to check back closer to this tie for all the build-up, previews, and news regarding MCFC!

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