TEAM NEWS:
Manchester City:
The hosts will head into this game with sky high confidence, after beating the league leaders Liverpool last time out. Having already advanced to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup this season, City will look to go as far as possible in the FA Cup also, starting with this favourable tie against second tier opposition.
It is expected that the reigning Premier League champions will introduce a host of young stars into the starting lineup, as manager Guardiola looks to rest his senior figures after a busy festive fixture list. Therefore, the likes of Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz, Eric Garcia and Oleksandr Zinchenko should come into the starting XI once more. Meanwhile reserve goalkeeper Aro Muric is also expected to be preferred to number 1 Ederson between the sticks.
In terms of potential absentees for this clash, Fabian Delph is due to serve the final game of his three match domestic ban. Long-term absentees Claudio Bravo and Benjamin Mendy continue to be sidelined. A positive for the hosts, will be the continued staggered return of midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who will most likely start the encounter having sat out of the victory over Liverpool in midweek.
Rotherham United:
Given the fact that the Championship side are embroiled in a fight to remain in the second tier, the clash with City will be a welcome distraction for Paul Warne's players. The chance to play the reigning champions of England is sure to be an exciting prospect for Rotherham, even if City do field a host of young stars.
A bright side for the 'Millers' is the fact that they come into the clash having won their first match in six outings. Rotherham have drawn 10 of their last 17 matches, and so as draw specialists, they may fancy themselves to hold their illustrious hosts, to earn a home-advantage replay in a few weeks time.
In terms of team news for this huge away trip; the visitors will be without midfielder Ryan Manning who has returned to parent club QPR as well as Ritchie Towell and Kyle Vassell, who will not recover in time from injury to feature. Aside from this, other loan players Billy Jones, Zak Vyner and Clark Robertson could all feature, having been granted permission from their respective parent clubs to contest the match.
PRE-MATCH MUSINGS...
Rotherham boss Paul Warne on huge task ahead:
"It will be amazing when I stand there, but I’m caught between ‘look, let’s just have a right go and give the crowd something to be proud of to be a Rotherham fan’ and another part of my brain thinking ‘I don’t want to be humiliated’."
"However, the best team doesn't’ always win. We are bottom four in the Championship so are not the best team but Wigan weren't the best team and they beat them [City, last season in the FA Cup."
FORM GUIDE:
DID YOU KNOW?
City have won their last 10 meetings with Rotherham United.
The last FA Cup meeting between the sides came in 1978-79; the teams played out a goalless draw, with City going on to win the replay 4-2.
The two clubs have not met in any competition since a second-tier clash 2002, when current Rotherham boss Warne was still playing for the club.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS:
Manchester City: Muric; Walker, Garcia, Otamendi, Zinchenko; De Bruyne, Gundogan, Foden; Mahrez, Jesus, Diaz
Rotherham United: Rodak; Ajayi, Robertson, Wood, Mattock; Taylor, Vaulks, Palmer, Williams; Wiles; Smith