The pick of the fifth-round ties in the FA Cup will take place at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon as Chelsea welcome Manchester City for an all-Premier League affair.
These two sides have been present in two of the last four FA Cup finals, but while Chelsea beat Liverpool to win the competition in 2012, Man City famously lost 1-0 to Wigan Athletic one season later.
Chelsea
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Due to Chelsea's struggles in the Premier League and their 2-1 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Champions League, the FA Cup does look to be the most winnable competition for the Blues this season. It has been a league campaign to forget, but there is no question that Guus Hiddink has improved matters at the English champions since replacing Jose Mourinho in December.
Indeed, Chelsea have only lost once since Hiddink took charge and that was away to PSG on Tuesday night. John Obi Mikel's away goal has given them hope ahead of the return next month, but PSG will fancy their chances of progressing. The Champions League crown is a long shot, but even that is more probable than Chelsea making the top four in the league.
A disastrous title defence has seen them collect just 33 points from 26 matches, which has left them in 12th position in the table. They are an incredible 20 points off the top of the table and also 14 points off the top four. Despite their struggles, Chelsea are still a team full of talented players and one that is certainly capable of claiming the FA Cup this term.
The London club are seven-time winners of England's most famous cup competition, the last of which came in 2012. They have actually won it five times since 2000, including victories over Manchester United and Portsmouth in recent years.
Chelsea also have the privilege of a free week after this match, which will allow Hiddink to choose his strongest possible side. Champions League action on Tuesday rather than Wednesday has also given the Dutchman more time to prepare and it would be a surprise if a full-strength team did not take to the field this weekend.
In truth, it has been a very comfortable progression to this stage of the competition for Chelsea. They have beaten both Scunthorpe United and MK Dons to reach the fifth round, but the Blues were beaten 3-0 at Man City in the only clash between the two teams this season.
Recent form: WLWLWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDDWL
Man City
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While Chelsea have had time to recover from their Champions League match and also have a free week after this fixture, the same cannot be said for Man City, who have to travel to Dynamo Kiev for the first leg of their last-16 clash in the European Cup on Wednesday. The schedule has not been kind to Manuel Pellegrini and it is thought that the Chilean will select a second-string team ahead of what is a winnable European tie next week.
Man City will also enter the match off the back of successive league defeats, both of which were at home. Leicester recorded a 3-1 victory at the Etihad at the start of the month, before Tottenham Hotspur won 2-1 last weekend. Those results have left the former Premier League champions in fourth position in the table, but they are still just six points off the summit.
It has not exactly gone to plan for the team since it was announced that Pep Guardiola would take control at the end of the season. A top-four finish, at least, is still extremely likely, while Man City will also face Liverpool in the final of the League Cup next weekend. While four trophies are still on offer, the quadruple seems a long way away for Pellegrini's team.
Unlike Chelsea, Man City have had to face two Premier League teams to make the fifth round of the FA Cup, but they scored seven times against Norwich City and Aston Villa without conceding to breeze through the early stages. They last won the FA Cup in 2011 - beating Stoke City in the final - and have won the competition on five occasions.
Despite Chelsea's struggles, drawing the Blues away from home at this stage of the competition is just about as tough as it gets. Chasing four trophies is what the owners would have wanted at this stage of the campaign, but something has to give and it would not be a surprise if Pellegrini sacrificed the FA Cup in search of perhaps more illustrious trophies.
Recent form: WLWLWW
Recent form (all competitions): DWWWLL
Team News
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Eden Hazard's future at Chelsea has been thrown into doubt over the last couple of weeks, but during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Hiddink revealed that he had held "some small talks" with the Belgian, whose head has seemingly been turned by Paris Saint-Germain.
It is thought that the attacker will retain his spot in the XI for this match, but Hiddink revealed that John Terry is still absent with a hamstring problem, joining fellow defender Kurt Zouma on the sidelines.
That should allow Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic to continue in the centre of defence, while Radamel Falcao is Chelsea's only other first-team absentee, leaving Hiddink with plenty of options all over the park.
Hiddink also name-checked Bertrand Traore during his press conference, which could mean a start for the youngster, who has impressed off the bench in recent matches.
As for Man City, experienced Argentine Willy Caballero is expected to replace Joe Hart between the sticks.
Manuel Garcia, Aleix Garcia and Bersant Celina, who have all been around the first-team squad in recent weeks, are also pushing for inclusion as Pellegrini attempts to rest the likes of David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure.
Vincent Kompany is also not expected to feature as he battles back from a muscular injury, which should allow Martin Demichelis to come into the centre of the defence. Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho, who scored a hat-trick against Villa in the last round, should also start.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Baba; Mikel, Fabregas; Traore, Willian, Hazard; Costa
Man City possible starting lineup:
Caballero; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Demichelis, Clichy; Fernando, A Garcia; Sterling, M Garcia, Celina; Iheanacho
Head To Head
Chelsea will still be smarting from their 3-0 defeat at Man City in the league earlier this season and the Blues have only won one of the last five matches between the two sides in all competitions - in February 2014.
Man City have also won each of the last two FA Cup ties between the two teams, including a 2-0 victory in February 2014.
The pair have met on 70 occasions at Chelsea in all competitions and unsurprisingly the home side have a strong record, winning 35 of those matches and only suffering 13 defeats.
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We say: Chelsea 2-0 Man City
If both sides were at full strength for this match, Man City would fancy their chances of at least securing a replay. Pellegrini has other fish to fry, however, and that is expected to be shown in his team selection.
Chelsea will certainly be eyeing another FA Cup crown this term and we are backing them to progress into the final eight at Stamford Bridge.
Matt Law
