Swindon Town vs Manchester City
7 January 200hrs
Football – England – FA Cup
Pick Manchester City HT/FT
Bookmaker Coral
Odds: 4/5 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 6 January
Swindon take a break from their promotion push in League Two to welcome Manchester City to The County Ground in the first tie of the FA Cup Third Round weekend.
Table of Contents
Swindon Town Preview – Could promotion-chasing Swindon shock their visitors with a famous won?
There’s no doubt that Swindon’s main priority this season is achieving promotion and a return to League One at the first time of asking. They sit fifth at the moment in what is a congested part of League Two where six points separate seven teams. Swindon are three points off second and a couple off third place Sutton United so it’s all to play for as they approach the second half of the season. Saturday seen them return to winning ways earning their first victory in five league matches with a 5-2 win at home to Northampton.
Before that, their only victory in December came in the last round of this competition with a 2-1 success away to fellow League Two team Walsall. Swindon had earlier beaten Crewe 3-0 who are a league above them, albeit struggling in the relegation zone.
The two success on the road in the FA Cup are indicative of their season as a whole. Swindon’s struggles have been at home where they have won just three off 11 in League Two, contrast that two the seven wins they have earned on the road. That said, this promises to be a memorable occasion for all at the club as they welcome the Premier League champions.
Somewhat remarkably, three of Swindon’s players are responsible for 25 of their 34 league goals. Midfielders Harry McKirdy and Jack Payne have combined for 17 whilst teenage striker Tyreece Simpson has eight in the league.
Manchester City Preview – Are City set for progressing in the cup and avoiding any upset?
This was the only domestic competition which escaped Manchester City last season and you can bet Pep Guardiola is looking to put that right. City have a double digit lead at the top of the Premier League and with them being knocked out of the League Cup in the early rounds, they will be targeting success in this one.
City’s only success in the FA Cup under Guardiola was back in 2019 when defeating Watford at Wembley. It’s also the only time they have reached the final.
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The Premier League champions could not be in better form heading into this match. They have won their last 11 league matches with a mix of sublime performances and games where they have had to be more industrious. It shows different sides to the team which makes them a formidable opponents for any team.
As is often the case in cup competitions we can expect to see some changes in City’s line up but it will still be an extremely talented line-up which takes the field. Summer signing Jack Grealish has started just one of the last four whilst youngster Cole Palmer could also feature.
Swindon vs Manchester City Betting Advice
Incredibly, this will be the first meeting between the teams in over 20 years. Granted, City have been in the Premier League for the majority of those years but it does seem surprising their paths have never crossed in cup competition. The home team will be looking forward to this, particularly as it will be under the lights and live on television.
It’s often said that the big teams don’t take cup competitions seriously. That can’t be said for City despite the solitary triumph under Guardiola. They’ve reached the semi-final stage in three of the other five attempts. Wigan (then in League One) did turn them over in a major upset back in 2018, though.
Key Facts – Swindon vs Manchester City Betting Tip
- Swindon have defeated Crewe and Walsall en route to the Third Round
- City have won the FA Cup only once since Guardiola took over in 2016
- This will be the first meeting between the sides since 2000 when the two were in the Championship
Unfortunately for Swindon I can’t see that happening here. I expect City to stroll to the next round and they are value to be winning at half time and full time.
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