STADIUM : RIVERSIDE STADIUM , MIDDLESBROUGH , ENGLAND
DATE/TIME: 11/03/2017 1515HRS GMT+3
This season of the FA Cup brought an incredible change:
The sixth round (quarterfinals) will not have a replay. This means that if the game ends in a draw, the tie will be decided on the same day. This means that they will do extra-time and then head to penalties if the game still ends in a draw. It's do or die. It's a real final, and if the quarterfinals are actually entertaining with the new format, the no-replay rule would finally be extended to the entire competition.
Middlesbrough fell to yet another Premier League defeat at Stoke City last weekend thus continuing their poor form at the premier league.This poor performance against Stoke City saw them drop into the bottom three in the Premier League table.
Their overall form: they have won two, drawn three, and lost four of their past nine matches in all competitions.Both victories were from the FA Cup.
They have been playing defensively in the league keeping clean sheets in seven of their past twelve matches in all competitions this seasons being the lowest scoring side in the premier league so far this season.
Manchester City, on the other hand, drew 0-0 at home to Stoke City squandering a chance to go second in the league and close into the 10 point gap between them and Chelsea who are favorites to win the league.This extends their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions of which seven are wins.
Away from home City are unbeaten in five games across all competitions.
MIDDLESBROUGH have seen both teams score at home in only 3 of their last 13 games thus this is expected to be a tough fixture between the two sides.
I am backing Manchester City to win this tie but with little expectations on both teams to score as Boro are poor offensively and defend a lot during their matches.
HEAD TO HEAD
Middlesbrough has won three, drawn one, and lost two of their last six meetings with Manchester City.
TEAM NEWS
MIDDLESBROUGH
Daniel Ayala and Calum Chambers are major doubts for this clash.
MANCHESTER CITY
No injuries apart from long-term injuries for Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan
Captain Vincent Kompany trained this week and is ready to return to action. Given that most of his appearances this season have been in Cup matches.
PREDICTION
MANCHESTER CITY TO WIN @ 1.50
RESULTS
MAN CITY 2-0 MIDDLESBROUGH
TIP WON
