Scunthorpe United V Manchester City – English FA Cup
Sunday, 24th January – 16:00 GMT (Live on ITV1)
Roberto Mancini has a selection dilemma on his hands as he prepares to embrace Glanford Park with his star-studded squad. However, the dilemma won’t be with injuries, though, rather with City’s fixture pile up. Following this trip down to Scunthorpe, City then face their most daunting away fixture of the season when they make the short trip across Manchester to take on their closest rivals, Manchester United, at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup. The Italian has expressed his desire to avoid a cup shock on Sunday but will he prioritise one cup competition over the other, and if so, which does he consider more important – a trip to Wembley in a tournament no one cares too much about or progression in arguably the worlds most exciting and coveted competition?
We personally feel the outcome of this game boils down to what sort of City team takes to the field at Glanford Park as a strong City side, similar to the one that overcame United less than a week ago, should safely see off a Scunthorpe side near the foot of The Championship table. However, with City facing a trip to Old Trafford just four days later, a game the blue side of Manchester are desperately hoping to win; not only because there is a place in the final up for grabs but to get one over on a fierce neighbour that has been Manchester’s top dog for far too long.
From a neutral perspective, the Carling Cup would come first, simply because of their opponents. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean Mancini will rest all the big guns on Sunday. The former Inter manager has already been quoted as saying he doesn’t want City to be on the receiving end of a FA Cup shock special, and so, expect a strongish City line up at Glanford Park, although some first team regulars are likely to be rested. Carlos Tevez, of whom was given a deserved rest in City’s third round encounter with Nottingham Forest, could be given the day off once again, while fans could welcome back some old faces in return. While Patrick Viera is still unavailable, as well as Roque Santa Cruz, Stephen Ireland could be set for a return after recovering from a hamstring injury. Also, Benjani, who rarely featured under Mark Hughes’s regime, could be handed yet another key role for City as he looks Tevez’s likely replacement providing the Argentine isn’t used.
To sum up; If you’re wanting to have a punt then City look a pretty safe bet. They’ve plenty of solid form behind them, with only a 2-0 defeat at Everton blemishing a decent start for Mancini in the league, while the victory over United last Wednesday will have sent the confidence of the players sky-high. Their defence appears far more reliable, even in Mancini’s short spell thus far, while they still pose a serious threat when going forward, with Craig Bellamy going through arguably the best spell in his career. Gareth Barry will watch over the defence and provide a more than adequate cover for the defence, while the only real disappointing player of late has been the clubs most expensive signing, Robinho. We’re hoping the lazy and egocentric Brazilian doesn’t feature, AT ALL, on Sunday, with Sean Wright-Philips hopefully filling his void, and if so, City should bypass this ‘Scunnie’ test without any lasting scars…. and by that we mean without the need of an unwanted replay.
Possible Bets:
Manchester City to BEAT Scunthorpe United – 1.40 Bet365
Draw/Manchester City (HT/FT Betting) – 4.60 WilliamHill
Benjani Mwaruwari First Goalscorer – 6.00 PaddyPower
Craig Bellamy Anytime Goalscorer – 2.50 VCbet
Scunthorpe United (Underdog backers):
At the end of the day, not only is this a sport called football, one of the most unpredictable sports known to man, but it’s also an FA Cup tie, a competition which takes the hearts and souls of many, season after season. Scunthorpe, a side struggling to fend off relegation in The Championship, certainly have it all to do on Sunday, but they are no forlorn hope. However, the mountain is big and they will need plenty of goals if they are to overcome the might of Man City, regardless of this being on their turf. However, their shining light is Gary Hooper, their young starlet and a player the fans have high hopes for, although how long they can keep hold of him is another question… an expensive one. The former Grays Athletic forward has been ‘The Irons’ most prolific forward this season, the same as last, with Hooper banging in nine for the season after previously managing 30 last term. He will be one of the more livelier players on the pitch for the home side and is a handsome price to give City a few scares.
Gary Hooper Anytime Scorer – 4.00 SkyBet
Gary Hooper First Goalscorer – 11.00 totesport
