Chelsea
interim manager Guus Hiddink has vowed to treat the FA Cup with 'respect'
and says he will select a full-strength side for Manchester City's visit on
Sunday in the fifth round.
However, Blues captain John Terry will miss the game with a hamstring
injury.
Terry, who has lifted the FA Cup five times, missed Chelsea's 2-1 Champions
League last-16 first-leg loss at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night with
the problem sustained in last Saturday's Premier League win over Newcastle.
Oscar returned from a calf injury in the midweek Champions League defeat and
could come in to start, perhaps at the expense of Eden Hazard.
Midfielder Nemanja Matic is available following his European suspension, but
Alexandre Pato is still short of match fitness and Kurt Zouma (knee) and
Radamel Falcao (thigh) are long-term absentees.
Meanwhile, Manchester City only have 13 fit first-team players to pick from,
according to their manager Manuel Pellegrini, who is prioritising
Wednesday's Champions League tie away at Dynamo Kiev.
Pellegrini is planning to rest some of his key first-team players and could
give minutes to youngsters Bersant Celina, Cameron Humphreys and Angelino.
Paul Merson's prediction
This is the pick of the fixtures. This is Chelsea's only chance of
silverware - top four is gone and I wouldn't have thought they can win the
Champions League.
Manchester City have lost two games on the trot, big games, too. When was
the last time when they lost three games in a row? Manuel Pellegrini said
he's likely to make changes for this game as they have to travel to Kiev in
midweek, but that was before they lost two matches in a row. It will be
close, but I think Chelsea will edge it.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
Opta stats
Manchester City have won six and lost just two of their last 11 matches
against Chelsea in all competitions.
Chelsea have won 24 and lost just of one of their last 29 FA Cup matches
played at Stamford Bridge (excluding penalties). They were knocked out on
penalties at home to Everton in 2011 during this run.
The Blues have kept five clean sheets in their last six FA Cup matches
played at Stamford Bridge.
City and Chelsea have been drawn together five times in the FA Cup with the
Citizens winning four and losing just one.
In fact, City have won the last four with the Londoners' only victory coming
back on February 20, 1915.
City have won five and lost just one of their last nine FA Cup matches away
from home.
Hiddink has never lost an FA Cup match with Chelsea (P5 W5), guiding them to
the trophy in 2009.
Kelechi Iheanacho has averaged a goal every 70 minutes in all competitions
for City this season (nine goals in 628 mins).
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