Preview: Wigan Athletic vs Manchester City - FA Cup 5th Round

Manchester City are looking to keep their dream alive of claiming every piece of silverware possible this Monday night as they travel to League One high flyers Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.

Manchester City come into the fixture fresh from a comfortable Champions League outing against Basel where they cruised to a 4-0 victory, all but sealing a place in the next round. Ilkay Gundogan grabbed a double as he looked in brilliant form and the Citizens will be boosted by the return of Leroy Sane, who came on for the final half an hour. Wigan head into the match on the back of two defeats which has seen them sit second in League One. However, the Latics will have fond memories of the last time the two sides met, goals from Jordi Gomez and James Perch knocked Manchester City out of the FA Cup in the quarter finals.

Wigan will find it more difficult this time out though, Manchester City have been almost impossible to stop all season long, scoring goals at will and described by many as one of the best teams they have ever seen. The home side will take confidence from already knocking out two top flight clubs in the competition so far, but Manchester City haven't been just any old Premier League side this season, proven by the huge 16 point gap between them and Manchester United who sit in second.

Team selection will be interesting for both sides. Paul Cook may see the match as a distraction considering their recent dip in form, or as a welcome respite from the battle at the top of League One. Pep Guardiola might have one eye on the League Cup Final next weekend but will of course not want to take the opposition lightly with the chance of a quadruple still on the cards. We expect some rotation in the City side with potentially some key players being rested including Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero. 

Ones to watch: 

Former Manchester United player Nick Powell undoubtedly has incredible ability but hasn't always shown the consistency that everyone has hoped for. Having bagged 12 goals already this season, he could be a real goal threat for the home side. 

Ilkay Gundogan is having a purple patch of form at the moment and could pose a big threat once again. If Guardiola wants to give Sane some minutes then he could run riot against lower league opposition, although having been injured by a nasty tackle in this competition last time out, he might start on the bench.

TGtM Predicts: Wigan Athletic 0 Manchester City 4