City set to take revenge over last season’s FA Cup victors Wigan

In the last nine head-to-heads between Manchester City (5/6 to be 2014 FA Cup champions) and Wigan Athletic (66/1) in all competitions, the former have managed eight victories all with clean sheets, and you can back them odd-on at 5/6 for a win to nil again.

The one anomaly to that record happens to be the most important, certainly for the away side, as the Latics triumphed 1-0 in last year’s FA Cup final for their first major piece of silverware in their history. They have odds of 60/1 to repeat that scoreline.

With City playing in their second leg Champions League tie at Barcelona just three days after this fixture, Manuel Pellegrini could be tempted to rest players ahead of their unlikely European challenge (10/1 to qualify).

Defending champions Wigan are certainly on a role, with four successive away victories in all competitions, and you can back them at 16/1 for another remarkable away win.

Despite now being in different leagues with each other, with Wigan getting relegated last term, the two clubs faced each other earlier in the season in a Capital One Cup match-up, with City coming out 5-0 victors. Odds of 18/1 say they can repeat that feat once more.

Sergio Aguero looks set to feature to help the home side get the goals, and has the encouraging stat of scoring eight times in seven FA Cup appearances. His odds of 8/11 to net anytime suggest it is likely, while he is at 3/1 to get two or more.

The Argentine’s potential strike partner Alvaro Negredo has three goals in two games in the competition this season so far, and can be backed at 8/11 in the anytime scorer market as well.

Wigan’s best hope for goals would have been top-scorer Nick Powell – on loan from Manchester United – but it is very unlikely he will take part after only just returning to training following injury.

Instead, the pressure may fall on Callum McManaman, who has found the net an impressive five times away from home in 10 FA Cup appearances. Back him with enticing odds of 6/1 to score anytime here.

City will certainly give it their all at the Etihad as they currently chase four trophies. A domestic treble, however, seems the more likely, as they have already won the Capital One Cup earlier in the season, while they are second-favourites at 7/4 to win the Premier League.