Manchester City have their sights set on a place in the fifth round for the fifth time in seven attempts, as they take on in form Championship promotion chasers Southampton. City also welcome Bradley Wright-Phillips who they sold to Southampton last summer for around £1m.
Vital Quotes:
Stuart Pearce talks about how important the FA Cup is:
It goes without saying that the FA Cup is very special to us all here and today presents us with an opportunity to progress through to the last 16 of the competition. Make no mistake, we will not take Southampton lightly, as their impressive league form demands and we will have a tough match on our hands.
Today is also a special day for a couple of members of our staff, Steve Wigley went through the whole spectrum with the Saints, from Academy Director right through to first team manager. For Tim Flowers too, after seven and a half years as a Southampton player, he will have some fond memories and the chance to catch up with a few familiar faces this afternoon
after last weekend it is important to bounce back more importantly with a result. If anything the defeat will sharpen the focus a little bit more. It has happened a few times this season that when we have been on the back foot, we have then put a performance on, usually at home.
Manchester City Team News:
City have loaned a few players out in the past couple of weeks to help with their football education.
ity have the pleasure of calling on the services of Joey Barton once again as he completed a fourth game suspension in the space of a month.
ity will be without Trevor Sinclair(groin) and he is also suspended and Paul Dickov(toe) but otherwise have a fully fit squad to pick from.
Player to watch: Joey Barton
Will be eager to show that he was sorely missed last weekend in the heavy home defeat.
Southampton Team News:
Southampton could welcome back Nathan Dyer after an ankle injury but Inigo Idiakez, Rudi Skacel, Andrew Surman and Djamel Belmadi are out.
Full-back Chris Makin is set to return after hamstring trouble, while in-demand Gareth Bale plays and Bradley Wright-Phillips is pushing to start.
Player to watch: Grzegorz Rasiak
Was unfortunate that he did not fit in at Tottenham as he is a quality striker that is full of goals – 17 league goals this season from 26 starts.
Match Facts & Stats
Southampton have only beaten a top flight club in the FA cup whilst in the lower leagues in 1976, the year they went on to win it against Manchester United. City last lost to Southampton at home in the 3rd round in 1960 by a heavy 5-1 defeat when Southampton were a lower league side.
Ref Watch:
Mark Clattenburg – this will be City’s 3rd game with the North East official – Watford at home and Sheff Utd away – both times missing clear cut penalty decisions for us.
Match Prediction:
Southampton to make it hard for us but City to be two nil up with Wright-Phillips getting a late goal to make it a nervy finish for the City faithful.
Next Fixtures:
Reading at Home Saturday 3rd February 3pm Kick Off