Manchester City has had a tough season. Roberto Mancini's squad is unlikely to repeat its Premier League Championship and the team was embarrassed in the group stage of the Champions League.
City's performance was so poor that the team did not even qualify for the Europa League. The bad news has only escalated for City this week as Carlos Tevez was arrested for illegal driving and Edin Dzeko recently mentioned the possibility that he could leave in the summer. Injuries to Sergio Aguero and Jack Rodwell have only hurt the team's circumstances. The only good news is that Manchester has a chance to win the 2012-13 FA Cup.
Manchester is the clear-cut favorite against Barnsley on Saturday. However, Mancini knows that his team cannot be too confident.
"I don't think that many people thought that Arsenal can go out in a game against Bradford (in the English League Cup earlier this season) and I think that the FA Cup is an important trophy for this reason," said Mancini. "Every game when you play against a team that plays in the Championship is difficult."
Manchester entered the tournament in the third round and took down Watford 3-0. In the fourth round, Manchester defeated Stoke City 1-0 and in the fifth round City crushed Leeds United 4-0.
Barnsley entered the contest in the third round and defeated Burnley 1-0. In the fourth round, Hull City fell victim to Barnsley and in the fifth round Barnsley defeated Milton Keynes Dons 3-1.
Prediction: Manchester wins 4-1.
Start Time: 12:30 PM EST
TV: Fox Soccer Channel
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