Manchester City vs Huddersfield Town

Click on any stream link below to watch the game.

 Click on any link in the table above to watch the game.

--------------------------------------------------------------

The FA Cup title defenders, Manchester City, are set to kick off their campaign against Huddersfield Town this Sunday at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola's squad is entering the contest with momentum, having secured four consecutive wins, contrasting with Huddersfield's recent struggle, having lost their last two matches in the Championship.

Manchester City's previous FA Cup win after a four-year gap occurred on June 3, marked by goals from Ilkay Gundogan, who later moved to Barcelona. This victory was part of their impressive 2022-23 season where they secured multiple trophies, including the Champions League, Super Cup, and Club World Cup. Their Premier League performance, once wavering, has regained strength following recent successes against Everton and Sheffield United, culminating in a comfortable 2-0 win last weekend.

Despite trailing leaders Liverpool by five points in the Premier League, Manchester City's goal-scoring prowess is evident, having scored at least twice in their last seven games across all competitions. Moreover, their dominance in FA Cup home matches has been consistent, winning their last 11 encounters at home. The last time they were eliminated in the third round dates back to the 2011-12 season, though they were defending champions at the time.

Huddersfield fans who lean toward superstition might find a glimmer of hope in this situation, but most will likely head to the North West without much real optimism. Darren Moore's team hasn't picked up much momentum in the New Year. They only managed to win one out of seven matches in December, and starting January against formidable opponents like Leicester City hasn't made things easier.

Despite a scrappy goal from captain Michal Helik, their recent match at King Power Stadium ended in a 4-1 defeat on New Year's Day. This setback pushed Huddersfield closer to the danger zone, as they currently sit in 21st place with just a three-point gap to Sheffield Wednesday.

Huddersfield's last significant FA Cup victory was 102 years ago, and their recent record in the competition hasn't been noteworthy. They've exited in the third round in four of the last five editions. Additionally, they haven't eliminated the cup holders from the tournament since the 1960-61 season when they knocked out Wolverhampton Wanderers.

While they managed to avoid defeat at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium in 2018 with a goalless draw, their encounters in the 2018-19 Premier League season ended with Manchester City winning both matches convincingly, tallying up a total score of 9-1 across those games.

Unlike several other teams in the Premier League, Manchester City hasn't felt the impact of players leaving for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup tournaments. Additionally, Jeremy Doku might return from a muscle issue.

However, Pep Guardiola has expressed concern about Erling Haaland's fitness (foot injury). John Stones remains sidelined due to an ankle problem, and Rodri won't be available due to his grandmother's passing. A virus has affected Scott Carson, Matheus Nunes, Kalvin Phillips, and Bernardo Silva, casting doubt on their participation in the third-round match.

On the other hand, Huddersfield faces absences as Charles Ondo represents Equatorial Guinea at the AFCON, and Yuta Nakayama joins Japan for the Asian Cup.

Huddersfield is dealing with an ongoing injury crisis, further exacerbated when left-back Jaheim Headley sustained an ankle injury following a challenge by Leicester's Cesare Casadei, forcing Headley off the field during the first half of their recent match.

The home team is on an impressive streak, having not lost in their last seven matches across various competitions, securing six victories. Their upcoming match marks their first in 2024, following a satisfying end to the previous year with a comfortable 2-0 triumph over Sheffield United in the Premier League. Rodri netted the opening goal in the 14th minute, while Julián Álvarez extended their lead in the 61st minute.

Meanwhile, the away team has struggled lately, managing only one win in their past eight matches in all competitions. Their recent woes include a 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough in their last EFL Championship fixture of 2023 and a discouraging 4-1 loss to Leicester City on New Year's Day.

These two teams have a history, having met 80 times in various competitions. The hosts hold a 28-22 advantage in wins, with 30 matches ending in draws. Their most recent encounter was in the 2018-19 Premier League season, where City dominated with a comprehensive 9-1 aggregate score, achieving a league double. Among their six FA Cup meetings, three were rematches, all resulting in victories for the hosts. Manchester City remains undefeated against the visitors in the 21st century, winning four out of seven meetings. However, they've experienced two defeats at home against Huddersfield Town in the former League Division 1.

This season, Manchester City boasts an unblemished record at home in all competitions, scoring at least two goals in 11 out of 13 games. They've lost just once in their last 17 matches across all competitions, securing victories in their last four games, with three clean sheets and a total of 12 goals scored.

Interestingly, despite failing to score in five of their last seven home clashes against the visitors, Manchester City has managed to score 11 goals in three meetings in the 21st century. Pep Guardiola's side faces some player concerns: John Stones remains sidelined due to an ankle injury, while Bernardo Silva, Kalvin Phillips, Matheus Nunes, and Scott Carson are battling illness and face fitness tests. Although Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku have returned to training, they won't be risked in this match. Erling Haaland has participated in some training sessions but isn't expected to start. Rodri temporarily left training due to personal reasons but is anticipated to return for the Premier League clash against Newcastle United.