Preview: Manchester City vs. Birmingham City - prediction, team news, lineups

Manchester City will be looking to make it six straight victories in all competitions when they host Birmingham City in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola's side booked their spot in the EFL Cup final with a 2-0 win over Manchester United on Wednesday night, while Birmingham will enter the contest off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.

Match preview

Man City have had their fair share of issues this season, but Guardiola's side appear to be finding form at the right time and will enter this match off the back of five straight wins in all competitions.

In the Premier League, the Citizens have won their last three against Southampton, Newcastle United and Chelsea to move into fifth position in the table, just four points off the summit with two games in hand on leaders Liverpool.

Man City have also impressively advanced to the EFL Cup final, recording a 4-1 victory at Arsenal in the quarter-finals before winning 2-0 against Man United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Guardiola's side reached the semi-finals of last season's FA Cup but suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to eventual winners Arsenal, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring a brace at Wembley.

The Citizens have won this competition on six previous occasions, the last of which was in 2019, while they have been victorious in 10 of their last 11 FA Cup fixtures.

Birmingham, meanwhile, have never won the FA Cup but have reached the final on two occasions, losing to West Bromwich Albion in 1931 and Man City in 1956.

The Blues have not actually faced the Citizens since September 2011, losing 2-0 in the League Cup, while they have not beaten the Manchester club since a 3-1 home success in March 2008.

Aitor Karanka's side will not enter Sunday's contest in the best of form, losing five of their last six Championship matches to drop into 18th position in the table.

Birmingham have actually not scored a single goal in their last three games, losing their last two 4-0 to Derby County and 2-0 to Blackburn Rovers, meaning that the FA Cup could provide a welcome distraction.

The Blues overcame Blackburn and Coventry City in the early rounds of last season's competition but lost to Premier League opposition in the shape of Leicester City in the fifth round.

Manchester City FA Cup form: WWWWWL Manchester City form (all competitions): DWWWWW

Birmingham City FA Cup form: LLWDWL Birmingham City form (all competitions): LLLDLL

Team News

Man City's absentee list is fairly substantial at the moment, with Ederson, Eric Garcia, Ferran Torres, Tommy Doyle, Scott Carson and Cole Palmer all ruled out due to coronavirus.

Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake are struggling with injuries, meanwhile, meaning that there could be opportunities for a couple of youngsters on Sunday afternoon.

Sergio Aguero is expected to lead the attack, though, and there could also be spots in the full-back positions for Kyle Walker, who has been cleared to return following coronavirus, and Benjamin Mendy.

As for Birmingham, Karanka is also expected to ring the changes from his usual XI, with a number of players likely to drop out from the clash with Blackburn last weekend.

Scott Hogan, Adam Clayton and Jon Toral are all likely to come into the side, while Andres Prieto, Harlee Dean and Jeremie Bela could also be handed starting roles for the Championship outfit.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Steffen; Walker, Harwood-Bellis, Stones, Mendy; Rodri, Gundogan, Foden; Mahrez, Aguero, Zinchenko

Birmingham City possible starting lineup: Prieto; Dean, Colin, Clarke-Salter, Friend; Clayton, Kieftenbeld, Toral; Bela, Hogan, Leko

We say: Manchester City 3-0 Birmingham City

Birmingham's recent form has been really disappointing, and it is difficult to imagine the Championship side pulling off a shock result on Sunday afternoon. Guardiola will make changes, but the home side should still be far too strong for the second-tier club.

Top betting tip

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