FA Cup: Manchester City v Chelsea match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s fifth round fixture at the Etihad Stadium

Jose Mourinho (left) and Manuel Pellegrini on the touchline at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month (Getty Images)

In a repeat of last year’s semi-final clash, Manchester City and Chelsea meet again in the FA Cup fifth round at the Etihad on Saturday evening.

Last year saw City come through victorious with a 2-1 win to take them to Wembley where they would go on to suffer a shock defeat to Wigan.

Since then, Jose Mourinho has come back to Stamford Bridge and brought a more solid defence to Chelsea, as was proven in the Blue’s recent 1-0 victory over City in the league.

With both teams still fighting on three fronts (Man City four with the League Cup final against Sunderland still to come) expect to see some changes to the line-ups but given the squads that both sides have at their disposal, the quality shouldn’t diminish too much.

Whichever team win in Manchester on Saturday will be firm favourites to go all the way and win the trophy in May and it will give the victor confidence going into the run in for the Premier League title as well.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 5.15pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Man City 0 Chelsea 1 (Ivanovic), Premier League, February 2014

Chelsea 2 (Schurrle, Torres) Man City 1 (Aguero), Premier League, October 2013

Chelsea 1 (Ba) Man City 2 (Nasri, Aguero), FA Cup Semi Final, April 2013

Man City 2 (Toure, Tevez) Chelsea 0, Premier League, February 2013

Chelsea 0 Man City 0, Premier League, November 2013

Chelsea 2 (Torres, Bertrand) Man City 3 (Toure, Tevez, Nasri), Community Shield, August 2012

STATS…

Man City have scored 9 goals in the previous two round of the cup (4-2 against Watford and 5-0 against Blackburn)

Sergio Aguero has 4 goals in 2 games in the cup this year

Oscar has scored in both of Chelsea’s FA Cup games this season

Last year Man City lost 1-0 to Wigan in the final, Chelsea lost 2-1 to Man City in the semi-finals

Chelsea have not lost a game since November 26, Man City have only lost once in the same time

ODDS…

Man City to win: 2.15

Chelsea to win: 3.5

Draw: 3.6

TV: Live on ITV 1 at 5.15pm, Highlights ITV 1 Saturday 11.20pm.