DATE: 17/04/13
KICK OFF: 19.45pm
VENUE: Etihad Stadium
PREDICTION: 2-0
Preview
The Etihad Stadium will open its curtains on Wednesday night for the dress rehearsal of the FA Cup Final.
Whilst City aim to cement their second place spot, Wigan Athletic have their Premier League status at stake.
The Blues took three points from their trip to the DW Stadium back in November; Mario Balotelli and James Milner grabbing the goals. With three wins in their last three, Mancini's men will be looking to inflict more woe on their northern neighbours on Wednesday night.
After surviving a late scare in their crucial semi-final clash with Chelsea, the Citizens go into the game intent on showing the premier league strugglers what they'll be facing at Wembley in just less than a month's time.
So which Wigan will turn up? Unfortunately for the Latics, it's a common question associated with them, and it has been for a while. Roberto Martinez's side have miraculously escaped the drop by the skin of their teeth for the last four seasons.
However, their Spanish gaffer continues to weave his magic and led his side to their first ever FA Cup final in their history on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Millwall. Nevertheless, their Premier League survival still carries paramount importance and Martinez has stated that their FA Cup success will be 'an empty achievement' if they are to be relegated.
Wigan have two games in hand on 17th placed Aston Villa and sit three points behind the Midlands side. With only 8 wins in 31 games and the third highest loss record in the league this season, the pie-eaters plan to use Wednesday nights tie as an unlikely stepping stone to Premier League safety.
Line-Up
With City's away trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in mind, Mancini may opt for a change of team. Although Wigan must not be underestimated, the Italian will expect to dispose of the Latics fairly comfortably.
The likes of Kolo Toure and Edin Dzeko could return to the squad, allowing Nastasic and Tevez to rest. Micah Richards may also feature following a lengthy spell out on the sidelines.
Joe Hart will almost certainly be back between the sticks, but the remainder of the line-up will be uncertain up until an hour before kick off.
Head to Head
City and Wigan are still acquainting with each other and have only met 17 times in the league.
City have won the last six, keeping six clean sheets and scoring 12 goals in the process. You have to go back 5 years to 2008 to find Wigan's last win against the blues; a 2-1 victory in which Antonia Valencia fired a spectacular long range effort to put his side 1-0 up.
With their Premier League status at stake, history will mean nothing to Martinez's men and I expect a tough game.
Key Men
Sergio Aguero
In Sergio's first ever game against the Latics back in 2011, he grabbed his first hat-trick for City. Back from injury and hungry for goals, the Argentine will look to prey on Wigan's back four once again.
Shaun Maloney
The Scotsman has been instrumental in Wigan's fight again relegation this season and put them on their way to their first FA Cup final with a fine strike against Millwall on Saturday. He'll be given the ultimate test of holding back Yaya Toure on Wednesday night and will be Wigan's major chance of a result.
Fantasy Premier League Leaders
Carlos Tevez 147 points
David Silva 130 points
Joe Hart 121 points
Arouna Kone 119 points
Shaun Maloney 102 points
Jean Beausejour 97 points
Top Scorers
Carlos Tevez
16
Arouna Kone
12
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