The final game before a huge set of fixtures in March sees Manchester City head back down to Luton Town for the FA Cup 5th Round. The Hatters played a tight game against City last time in the Premier League (1-2) but there will be no surprises for the Manchester side when they travel on Tuesday.

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Luton Town vs Manchester City Preview

Quite a significant game despite how it may appear on the surface. Will be physical and Luton have taken strides forward as a team this season. City clearly need a win to progress, it’s a difficult ground for a result as we found out earlier this season and with a derby on the weekend, some players need to be rested. Tight turn around with City having two days in Manchester before travelling Tuesday morning to Luton, who haven’t played since last Wednesday night.

Let’s get into the match thoughts. 👇

Notable Injuries:

• For Manchester City, Josko Gvardiol (ankle) is expected to be out but has returned to light training today, could be on the bench Tuesday night but remain unused. Jack Grealish back into the first team squad.

• For Luton Town, Tom Lockyer, Marvelous Nakamba, Jacob Brown and Mads Andersen are all unavailable through injury. Alfie Doughty and Sambi Lokonga will require late fitness checks.

Interesting Stats:

• The two teams have faced each other 50 times since 1898, City leading with 21 wins.

• The Premier League fixtures in December last year was the first time they have met this century, which City won 2-1.

• Luton Town are without a win in their last four fixtures, 1 draw and 3 losses.

• Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 17 matches in all competitions. Keeping 3 clean sheets in the last 5 games.

Thoughts on the game:

• Looking back at the previous game in the Premier League City were without Haaland, De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku. John Stones was not ready for a full 90 minutes. City have just had their worst performance of the season against Aston Villa, they needed a win at a tough ground no matter what and managed to get it. A very nervy one at that.
  
  Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish our best two players in that game, both scoring goals and involved all over the pitch. This time around might not see them play a staring role with others coming in.
  
  This time around we look more settled defensively, to deal with crosses into the box and wining aerial duels against a striker like Adebayo. We ourselves will have a striker back who is very suited to this kind of game in Erling Haaland. The team ready for the physicality Luton will bring.
  

• Grealish is back into training, although light, and traveled with the team to Bournemouth. Expect that he will be involved from the bench against Luton before possibly starting against United on the weekend. If his training has gone well then he could start.

• Bernardo is a candidate to rest this game, something Pep has done before this season with the Burnley and Chelsea home games (Premier League). Although given the players will have 4 days between this fixture and the derby he could start.

• A few players I think will be in contention for a start is Kovacic, Bobb and Nunes. Kovacic was fantastic against Bournemouth in the midfield, carrying the ball through the press and keeping the tempo at the right pace. Depends if Pep wants him fresh for the Derby or not. Nunes worked very well at LW for City against Bournemouth, useful to hold up the ball and make many touches that slow down the tempo, as Pep Guardiola put it. Oscar Bobb with a new contract on the horizon and seeking game time, Luton would be a good game to rest other players by starting him out wide.

• Kyle Walker will return at RB after being rested against Bournemouth. Make sure he is sharp before the derby which against Rashford LW he would be needed.

• The rest of our defense is a tough call with Gvardiol still out. Dias looking like he was ill and playing through that. Stones not yet allowed to play multiple games a week. Akanji coming inside for Stones, Ake and Dias starting makes the most sense.

• Ortega will likely start given it is the FA Cup, he played against Spurs in the last round.

• De Bruyne will need rhythm just as much as City will be cautious to risk him ahead of the derby. Coming on for the second half is probably the most like situation unless he has cleared by the medical department fully. Otherwise keep his full start to the weekend against United.

• Haaland as I have mentioned many times before is perfect for this type of game, him running through on goal by pushing a defender off him or scoring a header in this game would not surprise me at all. Was pulled off early against Bournemouth with this in mind I’d imagine.

• Phil Foden has played the most games and minutes for Manchester City in all competitions. A rest for him has to be coming before March, surely?

Ones to Watch:

• Manchester City: Haaland is searching for the form from last season, to be ruthless in front of goal before our most important run of games in March. This type of game suits him and he was subbed off early against Bournemouth with that in mind.

• Luton Town: Ross Barkley has been one of the best players for Luton Town this season, getting on the ball to give them a foothold in midfield. Someone City will want to keep out of the game to control any Luton transitions.

Predicted Lineup: Ortega, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, Kovacic, Alvarez, Bobb, Bernado, Haaland

Predicted Score: Luton Town 0 - 2 Manchester City

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