FAC: Wigan v Manchester City preview

Wigan v Manchester City preview

Wigan will aim to put the disappointment of successive League One defeats behind them in the FA Cup against Manchester City in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday night.

The Latics were beaten 2-0 at home to Blackpool in midweek to drop below Shrewsbury Town at the summit, but they remain in a strong position with two games in hand over Blackburn Rovers, level on points in third place.

While promotion to the Championship remains the priority, Cook expects a "fantastic atmosphere" at the DW Stadium ahead of the visit of the runaway Premier League leaders.

 

"Football has a funny way of sending out shock results and our belief on Monday night must be that we can win the game," he told the club's website.

"We've lost five games out of 30 this season but because our two recent defeats are so fresh in the mind, people are saying we've got to do something different or re-find ourselves.

"We've got a fantastic stadium and the support inside it will make it a really good atmosphere, that's a guarantee."

Pep Guardiola has been left impressed by Wigan's run to the fifth round, seeing off Bournemouth in the third round before dispatching West Ham en route to a repeat of the 2013 final, which the Latics won.

 

Guardiola said: "I saw the game against Bournemouth. Bournemouth are one of the teams I like to watch the most in the Premier League and they were able to beat them.

"And I think in the FA Cup, every season, there are a lot of surprises. We are going to prepare as good as possible for this game."

 

Wigan will be without the cup-tied trio of Devante Cole, Donervon Daniels and James Vaughan - but former Manchester United forward Nick Powell and striker Will Grigg will lead the attack.

Shaun MacDonald and Jordan Flores are long-term absentees for the Latics, while midfielder Sam Morsy is suspended.

 

Claudio Bravo could return in goal. The Chilean has played in all domestic cup matches this season as manager Guardiola has rested first-choice Ederson.

Winger Leroy Sane and playmaker David Silva could continue their comebacks from injury after substitute appearances in midweek but the game probably comes too soon for striker Gabriel Jesus (knee) despite his return to training. Left-back Benjamin Mendy (knee) is still out.