A Manchester City side fresh from a massive midweek win against title rivals Liverpool in the Premier League (PL), welcome struggling Championship side Rotherham to the Etihad stadium in the third round of the FA Cup.
The ‘Citizens’ have won the FA Cup five times, most recently in 2010-11. The last three seasons they’ve been eliminated in the fifth round twice and once in the semi finals. Drawn at home is a luxury for City, who’ve only played two of their last 12 FA Cup ties in front of their own fans – recording big wins (4-1, 5-1) in both.
That Liverpool win was City’s tenth in the last 11 home matches (in all competitions). They’ve scored two goals or more in all 11 matches, and average 3.27 goals scored in this run – where eight matches have been won by a two-goal margin or more.
As City broke the PL points record last season, Rotherham were playing in tier three in England, before winning a place in the Championship via the play offs. Having no real FA Cup success, the club’s best efforts to date were two fifth round appearances, while the club has been eliminated at the first hurdle the last three years.
Currently the club is fighting for survival in the Championship, where they’ve been the worst away team (W0, D4, L9). They’ve conceded 3+ goals in four of 14 away matches this season (in all competitions).
Players to watch: Gabriel Jesus, an unused sub on Thursday, has five goals in the last four games where he’s played the full 90 minutes. Will Vaulks, meanwhile, has six goals and six yellow cards from 26 appearances for Rotherham this season (in all competitions).
Stat attack: Six consecutive City home matches (in all competitions) have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals.
City’s last eight FA cup wins have all been by at least two goals.
Rotherham average just 1.0 yellow card per game over their last seven away matches.
Match Information
Referee: Coote D. (Eng),
Venue: Etihad Stadium (Manchester)