The sell-out clash at the Etihad pits Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders against the Championship front-runners.
Marco Silva’s side have garnered widespread praise for their attacking style this season with Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic leading the way with 28 goals, as they have opened up a five point lead at the top of the table
City meanwhile have been in superb form in defence of our Premier League crown, scoring 55 goals to date in moving nine points clear.
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And according to former City defender Onuoha – now one of our regular Matchday Live pundits – it all points to a potential Cup cracker.
“Having played against Fulham and watched them for a few years, that’s what they do. They are not a side to park the bus – they try to be expansive; they try to score goals,” said Onuoha
“I think Aleksandar Mitrovic has probably scored more goals than half the teams in the Championship, and their wingers do well too.
“But teams that come here with that attacking philosophy (find) it’s going to be a bit of a problem as City tend to control games and they have a lot of chances themselves.
“However, from a neutral point of view, for it to be a good tie you want it to be open and (I think) there will be so many goals in this game.”
Meanwhile fellow former City star Paul Dickov believes a refreshed and rejuvenated Pep Guardiola‘s squad will relish the opportunity to try and further our progress in the Cup.
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Saturday’s game will mark our return to action following the mini winter break with Guardiola affording his players some time off and a number choosing to enjoy a spell of winter sunshine.
After an intense schedule over the past few months, former City and Scotland striker Dickov says that the hiatus came at just the right time for the Premier League leaders.
And he believes the City squad will welcome the Cottagers to the Etihad this weekend armed with a fierce determination to try and move another step closer to Wembley.
“I love the FA Cup whether it’s here at the Etihad or an away trip, it’s the best cup competition in the world,” regular Matchday Live guest Dickov declared.
“And I don’t think it has lost its prestige like some people seem to think.
“The one thing we do at Manchester City - and the one thing the manager does - is he always picks a strong team as he wants to win the competitions.
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“I also think the break has come at just the right time for everybody.
“A little two-week gap between games means they will have a had a few days off training wise as well possibly getting in a little holiday and a bit of sun on their backs.
“They will come back ready for the last third of the season.”
