A Wembley semi-final awaits for Manchester City or Burnley who go toe-to-toe at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup quarter-final against the backdrop of an interesting managerial sub-plot. Current Burnley boss Vincent Kompany played 62 times for Guardiola at Manchester City, part of an incredible 360 appearances in the famous Sky Blue, but as the Etihad chief has proved in his eight managerial H2Hs against his former assistant Mikel Arteta (W7, L1), he doesn’t like the student to beat the master.
Guardiola’s irresistible Manchester City machine have made it to the FA Cup semi-finals in each of the last four seasons and there appears little chance of that run ending here considering Manchester City have won the last eight home matches against Burnley by an aggregate 31-2 scoreline! Extending that further would see Manchester City create history too, becoming just the third side in history to reach five successive FA Cup semi-finals.
Burnley will undoubtedly have something to say about, and the revitalised Clarets will be backed by a 7800-strong travelling contingent as they bid for a first FA Cup semi-final appearance since 1973/74. A 3-1 victory over Hull City in midweek should boost belief that the runaway Championship leaders can at the very least compete, but having been dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Manchester United, Kompany knows the size of the task that awaits.
It’s sure to be an emotional day for Kompany, who ironically has a statue outside the Etihad, but sentiment certainly won’t rule his head as Burnley seek to extend their 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W14, D4). Priced as huge outsiders, the chances appear slim, but Burnley can perhaps take a crumb of comfort from the fact the last visiting team to win at the Etihad in FA Cup action was Championship side Middlesbrough back in 2015.
Players to watch: Fresh off the back of his five-goal haul against Leipzig in midweek, Manchester City Erling Haaland is still searching for his first FA Cup goal. Also in the thick of the action in midweek, Nathan Tella has netted either side of half-time in Burnley last two games.
Hot streak: Manchester City have won their last ten FA Cup home games, scoring a frightening average of 4.1 goals per game in the process.
