Taming Sergio Aguero will be Middlesbrough‘s biggest task when they welcome Manchester City to the Riverside on Saturday.
Boro are on a strong cup run, but will need to keep City’s in-form striker quiet if they want to keep hopes of picking up the club’s first silverware in 17 years alive.
The Argentine has scored five goals in his last four games and found the net in the team’s league meeting at the Etihad back in November.
Sergio AgueroImago
TEAM NEWS
Middlesbrough are expected to be without defender Daniel Ayala, while George Friend faces a late fitness test. Calum Chambers remains out.
Man City could have Vincent Kompany back available, but Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan are sidelined.
MANAGER QUOTES
Aitor Karanka: “I am the first critic, so I don’t need to hear the criticism. The most difficult moment for me was when I arrived here, but he was the first one who transmitted his confidence. I don’t need to feel that every day. You can feel the spirit of the team and it is just trying to recover their confidence and to show them that they are able to do a lot of good things.
Pep Guardiola: To follow…
WHEN IS THE MATCH?
Kick off is at 12:15 on 11 March 2017.
WHERE IS IT BEING PLAYED?
The match will take place at the Riverside Stadium. Here’s all the info you need about the ground.
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
Middlesbrough’s Premier League season has been so drab you’d be excused for not noticing it. But in this competition they are just one win away from a trip to Wembley. That’s huge for Boro and if City are off their game – as they were in the first match against Huddersfield – then this could be a great match-up.
CAN I WATCH IT ON TV?
Yes – the match will be televised on BT Sport in the UK. Here’s the schedule.
International viewers can see their options here.
CAN I STILL GET TICKETS?
Check out the official Premier League ticket hub.
MATCH BUZZ
MATCH FACTS
- Middlesbrough have eliminated Manchester City in four of their last five FA Cup meetings, most recently in the fourth round in 2014/15 while as a second-tier team.
- Manchester City however did win the last FA Cup tie between the two contested at the Riverside, winning 1-0 in Round 3 in 2009/10, thanks to a Benjani goal.
- Patrick Bamford scored the opening goal of the game in the last meeting between the two sides in this competition in January 2015.
- This is Middlesbrough’s first appearance in the FA Cup sixth round since 2008/09. They’ve lost their last three at this stage (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09).
- Manchester City’s last appearance at this stage came in 2013/14, being turned over by then holders Wigan at the Etihad.
- The Citizens haven’t reached the FA Cup semi-finals since 2012/13, while for Boro their last appearance in the final four came in 2005/06.
- Middlesbrough have won just one of their last seven ties against Premier League opposition in the FA Cup, though that win was against Man City.
- Grant Leadbitter has scored in two of his last three FA Cup matches for Middlesbrough after failing to score in his previous six.
- Manchester City are the top scoring team left in the FA Cup this season (13), with eight different scorers finding the net.
- Raheem Sterling has assisted five goals in his last six FA Cup appearances, including twice in the fifth round replay against Huddersfield.
BOOKIES’ ODDS
Middlesbrough 8/1, Draw 19/5, Man City 5/11 (Best odds at the time of writing).
