Manchester City v Rotherham FA Cup Game Preview
By David Crook
After the glamour and exhilaration of Manchester City’s win against Liverpool on Thursday night, they find themselves crashing back to earth for their next game, in a gritty FA Cup clash against Rotherham.
People talk about the importance of the glamour of the premium domestic Cup competition and undoubtedly the opportunity to play against top sides is important to lower ranked League sides like Rotherham. Their game against Manchester City provides both a welcome revenue stream and the chance for their players to have a career defining moment.
Of course for City, the tie is somewhat less glamourous and instead presents something of a potential banana skin. This is the kind of game we seem to have difficulty lifting ourselves for. Remember we slipped up against League 1 side Wigan last year? It will not help that this is the second of our four consecutive home games in this post Christmas period, which may mean City fans picking and choosing which games to go to.
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It will also not help overcome the potential banana skin because Guardiola will most likely take the opportunity to change his side around. Players will be rested after the exhaustion of the Liverpool game and given next Wednesday is the Carabao Cup Semi Final.
Guardiola will be keen to advance in this competition. He knows City have somewhat under achieved in recent years in the FA Cup and will be keen to continue to build some momentum is his side who will have the memory of recent defeats in their minds. Momentum will be crucial in the coming months to power through some of the trials which are coming.
Man City Square on balance consider Guardiola will seek to use many of his squad players against Rotherham and will keep seasoned first teamers on the bench if needed. But this will be an opportunity for some players returning from injury to get some valuable game time under their belts. Therefore there will be some stellar names on the team sheet.
Predicted Starting XI
4-3-3 Formation
Goalkeeper
Aro Muric
Defenders
Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi, Eric Garcia, Oleks Zinchenko
Midfield
Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne
Attackers
Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane