Manchester City will take on Luton Town in the FA Cup fifth round, looking to book their place in the next stage of the competition.
Manchester City are in phenomenal form right now, and they are now unbeaten in 17 matches across all competitions ahead of the FA Cup fifth-round clash with Luton Town. They will be firm favourites heading into this contest, and Pep Guardiola will demand a strong performance from his players.
On the other hand, Luton Town are going through a rough patch right now. The home team will be looking to pull off a memorable result here, but they need to improve immensely. They have lost their last three matches across all competitions, and this will be an uphill challenge for them.
Manchester City have a formidable squad at their disposal, and Luton Town will need a major slice of luck in order to win this game. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team news and tactics
Luton Town
The home side will be without the services of Tom Lockyer (cardiac issues) and Marvelous Nakamba (knee) until the end of the season. Alfie Doughty is expected to return from his knock here. Albert Sambi Lokonga, Jacob Brown, and Mads Andersen are long-term absentees. They are sidelined with knee, thigh and calf injuries respectively. Elijah Adebayo misses out with a thigh problem.
Luton are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation here, with Tim Krul in goal. In the back three, Reece Burke will start alongside Teden Mengi and Amari’i Bell. Chiedozie Ogbene and Alfie Doughty will start as the wing-backs here. They will look to keep things compact at the back and nullify the threat from the wide areas.
In the middle of the park, Ross Barkley will start alongside Jordan Clark. The two players will look to keep things compact in the middle and help out defensively.
Tahith Chong and Andros Townsend will start as the attacking midfielders here. They will look to pack the midfield and help out the side defensively. They will drift out from time to time to add creativity and width to the side as well. Carlton Morris will lead the line for Luton Town against Manchester City.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Krul; Burke, Mengi, Bell; Ogbene, Clark, Barkley, Doughty; Chong, Townsend; Morris
Manchester City
Josko Gvardiol is the only absentee here, with an ankle injury. He is expected to return early next month. Manchester City are likely to rotate their squad against Luton Town, and they will shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Stefan Ortega in goal.
In the back three, Kyle Walker will start alongside Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake. Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku will be deployed as the wingers here, and they will look to create goalscoring opportunities and provide width to the side.
Rodri will start in the middle of the park alongside John Stones, and the two players will look to provide defensive cover to the side and break up opposition attacks. Kevin De Bruyne and Julian Alvarez will start in the attacking midfield roles, and they will look to link up with the attack and create goalscoring opportunities in the final third. Erling Haaland will lead the line for Manchester City.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Ortega; Walker, Dias, Ake; Silva, Rodri, Stones, Doku; De Bruyne, Alvarez; Haaland
Key Stats
- Luton Town are winless in the last four matches across all competitions.
- Manchester City have won five of the last six matches across all competitions.
- Luton Town have conceded 15 goals in their last six matches across all competitions.
- Manchester City have kept a clean sheet in their last two matches across all competitions.
- Luton Town have scored a goal in their last eight competitive outings.
Player to Watch
Kevin De Bruyne
The 32-year-old has been outstanding since his return from injury, and he has contributed with two six assists and two goals in his last nine appearances for Manchester City. He will look to open up the Luton Town defence with his creativity and vision in the final third. He is our key player to watch out for.
Prediction
Luton Town 1-3 Manchester City
The away side are in outstanding form right now, and they are full of confidence and momentum. Manchester City should be able to field a strong team against Luton Town, and they will be the overwhelming favourites to win.
The Hatters will look to put up a fight in front of the home fans, but the gulf in class between the two sides is significant and they are likely to fall short here. A comprehensive away victory is on the cards here.
