Manchester City have been dominant. Manchester City have been unstoppable. Manchester City have been ruthless. After losing just once domestically this season, the side could finish as quadruple winners if everything goes right.
City won’t have fond memories of facing Wigan in the FA Cup. The two sides last faced off in the 2013-14 edition where Wigan beat City at the Etihad courtesy of goals from Jordi Gomez and James Perch, but it was the final in May 2013 that’ll remain etched in the history of the Cup and Wigan’s history for being one of the biggest upsets in a final.
Things have changed as Wigan find themselves in the League One while City have dismantled teams with ease in the top flight of English football. Though Wigan are on the route back to the Championship, we expect a heavily one-sided encounter when Pep Guardiola’s side travel to the DW Stadium.
Wigan aren’t in the best of form as they’ve lost two games on the bounce. Though they played away from home against Southend and Blackpool, Paul Cook’s side were expected to win the games. They’ve subsequently dropped to second in the league table and are level on points with Blackburn who are vying for an automatic qualification spot.
City are expected to rotate their squad as they have a League Cup final next weekend. However, considering the quality of City’s squad, they are still expected breeze past the Latics.
Team News
Jordan Flores and Shaun MacDonald are out injured while the trio of James Vaughan, Devante Cole and Donervon Daniels are cup-tied.
As for Cit, it’s unlikely we’ll see Gabriel Jesus making a return. Leroy Sane was out injured due to a bad tackle by Cardiff’s Joe Bennett in the FA Cup last time aroun but could get a start as the gaffer will want to ease him back into full match fitness. He is unlikely to play the full game, though. Laporte and Stones could start at the back while young Phil Foden could be given a run out as well.
Predicted Line-ups
Wigan Athletic: Walton, James, Burn, Dunkley, Byrne, Power, Fulton, Powell, Roberts, Walker, Grigg
Manchester City: Bravo, Stones, Laporte, Danilo, Toure, Silva, Foden, Sane, Aguero, Brahim Diaz
Odds
Wigan: 18/1
Draw: 13/2
Man City: 1/6
