Manchester City are seeking to saunter into the fourth round of the FA Cup when they host League One outfit Exeter City on Saturday afternoon.
Three successive Premier League draws have seen the Cityzens lose ground in the title race but cup competitions will provide a welcome distraction over the coming days. The battle with Exeter is followed by their semifinal first leg battle with Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup next Tuesday.
Man City fired eight unanswered goals past Salford City in the third round of last year’s competition and will be aiming to rack up a similarly emphatic scoreline this weekend. Sweeping changes are expected as Pep Guardiola hands his first-team regulars much-needed rests, but that shouldn’t deny the seven-time FA Cup winners a routine triumph.
Exeter have hit a timely patch of form following three wins from their last five games, but manager Gary Caldwell, who was part of the Wigan Athletic squad who famously beat Man City in the 2013 FA Cup final, will still be fearing the worst at the Etihad Stadium. The Grecians are only three points above the drop zone in League One despite sitting in 14th and will expect a hammering.
All eyes will be on new signing Antoine Semenyo this weekend, with the ex-Bournemouth star available to face Exeter on Saturday. Whether he starts, features from the bench or is rested entirely remains to be seen.
Guardiola does find himself light on options heading into the third round clash, however, with centre backs Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol and John Stones all unavailable. Mateo Kovačić is absent in the midfield, too, while injuries to Savinho and Oscar Bobb limit options out wide.
Rayan Aït-Nouri and Omar Marmoush are still at the Africa Cup of Nations, further restricting Guardiola’s selection options, and the Spanish manager is expected to hand opportunities to academy stars and fringe players.
