• FA Cup

Eriksson aiming to get one over former protégé Mancini

January 7, 2011

Leicester City v Manchester City on Sunday is the stand-out game of ESPN's coverage of the FA Cup, with Newcastle's clash at Stevenage kicking off proceedings on Saturday. Click here to subscribe.

As Sven-Goran Eriksson acknowledged in the build up to Sunday's FA Cup third-round fixture between Championship Leicester City and big-spending Manchester City, a long and fruitful friendship will count for nothing when the Swede faces his former protégé at the Walkers Stadium.

Elsewhere, Manchester United host Liverpool in arguably the tie of the round, with Sir Alex Ferguson desperate for his side to avoid another third-round exit. Alan Pardew's Newcastle travel to Stevenage while Crawley host Derby.

For predictions and talking points from the biggest matches, read ESPN's preview below...

Leicester City v Manchester City

After a punishing period of games in the Premier League, concluded by a 0-0 draw at Arsenal that saw his defensive approach questioned, Mancini could make changes, with Adam Johnson a likely starter given Jo's poor performance at Emirates Stadium. Even if he does rotate substantially, City's eyewatering investment in recent seasons ensures they have a ready collection of peripheral talent to call upon. Eriksson, in charge of a Leicester side that have taken maximum points from two games in 2011 to continue their rise up the table under the Swede, can only dream of such options, even if he has managed to attract a better calibre of player.
Leicester City player to watch: Darius Vassell. One of those players tempted to Leicester by Eriksson, Vassell played under the Swede with England and Manchester City and, after a slow start at the Walkers Stadium, has scored twice in his past two games for The Foxes. "He is as good today as he was at Manchester City," Eriksson says. "He hasn't lost his pace." Vassell will be a threat if there is any space to exploit behind the visiting defence, though he has never been a prolific goalscorer.
Manchester City player to watch: Adam Johnson. With Mario Balotelli and David Silva both out injured, it was a real shock to see Roberto Mancini once again keep Johnson on the bench in the 0-0 draw with Arsenal as Jo started at left midfield. The England international has started only seven Premier League games this season and will surely be given a chance in the starting line-up. Johnson needs to take full advantage and impress on Mancini his claims for a more regular place.
Key battle: Jack Hobbs v Mario Balotelli. Though Silva, City's key creative influence, is likely to miss out with injury, Balotelli should return to the starting line-up. With eight goals in 11 appearances in all competitions in a season that has been disrupted by injury and suspension, Balotelli has given glimpses of his talent, most notably when he struck a hat-trick against Aston Villa on his most recent appearance. Looking to negate the influence of the explosive Italian will be Hobbs, a former Liverpool defender, who has become a key presence in the heart of the Leicester side since joining the club in the summer of 2009.

Stevenage v Newcastle United

Alan Pardew's team selection may be compromised by a growing injury list. Steven Taylor, Cheik Tiote, Andy Carroll, Shola Ameobi, Ryan Taylor and Sol Campbell are all sidelined, but a 5-0 hammering of West Ham in midweek has countered predictions that they would struggle with so many players out.
Stevenage have coped admirably in their first campaign in the Football League and currently sit comfortably in 13th place in League Two. Graham Westley has built a solid team unit, though he has yet to find a suitable replacement for this season's top scorer Chris Holroyd, who has returned to parent club Brighton after a successful loan spell. Stevenage's last outing was a 4-2 victory over Barnet, but ring-rust could still present a problem as Westley's side have played just three games since November 27.
Stevenage player to watch: Michael Bostwick. While the likes of John Ashton, John O'Dea and Lee Boylan can boast Premier League experience with Leicester, Birmingham and West Ham respectively, Stevenage's chances of success may rest on the work-rate of midfielder Bostwick, who is playing his first ever season in the Football League. The 22-year-old midfielder has bundles of energy, is known to pop up with the odd crucial goal and will be relishing the opportunity to prove himself against top-class opposition.
Newcastle player to watch: Joey Barton. A physical encounter against lower-league opposition provides a great platform for a combative player like Joey Barton. The box-to-box midfielder is in great form having contributed either a goal or an assist in five of his past seven games and his presence is vital to Newcastle, especially with their current injury crisis. Stevenage's players will undoubtedly be doing their best to wind Barton up and he will need to resist the temptation to rise to the bait, with doubts over his discipline refusing to disappear.
Key battle: Mark Roberts v Nile Ranger. He may share a name with an infamous British sporting streaker, but the only thing naked about Mark Roberts is his ambition. Stevenage's captain has been the driving force behind their success in recent years and the influential centre back, who has three goals to his name this season, will be key again against the Magpies. With Leon Best likely to be rested, lanky striker Nile Ranger will be thrown in to try to cause Roberts some problems. He capped a superb performance at Chelsea in the Carling Cup in September with a goal and Roberts will likely have his hands full with the 19-year-old's raw pace and power.

Manchester United v Liverpool

It's less than two years since they went toe-to-toe for the Premier League title, with Liverpool famously winning 4-1 at Old Trafford. Now, while United remain on top of the table, Liverpool's title dreams are once more in tatters as they languish in 12th place, just four points clear of the relegation zone.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, now the club's longest-serving manager, can only talk about going on and on, while his counterpart on Merseyside, Roy Hodgson, is left to cling on to his job with the very ends of his fingertips after the midweek loss at Blackburn Rovers.
Manchester United player to watch: Javier Hernandez. With Wayne Rooney on the sidelines with his ankle injury, Hernandez has been called upon to fill the void. Despite seeming nothing more than a bit-part player, Chicharito has still scored six Premier League goals this term making him United's second highest scorer. Already a fans' favourite due to his knack of weighing in with vital goals, including strikes in both his last two appearances, it could be the Mexican who causes the damage in his first match against Liverpool.
Liverpool player to watch: Dan Agger. That a defender has been chosen from the Liverpool squad perhaps speaks volumes in itself, but Liverpool have missed Agger badly after he was ruled out through injury on international duty with Denmark in October. He returned against Bolton Wanderers last Saturday, his first Liverpool game since September 25, which they won before he was rested at Blackburn. It seems certain he will be back in the team trying to keep United quiet on Sunday.
Key battle: Sir Alex Ferguson v Roy Hodgson. If Hodgson is going to stay in a job for Wednesday's trip to Blackpool, when their neighbours could inflict an unlikely double on their illustrious opponents, he is going to have to out-think the master tactician. So far, the Liverpool supporters have been apoplectic at Hodgson's approach - which has made their old cries of "hoof" at opponents somewhat ironic. If Sir Alex chooses to rest players, and still beats Liverpool, that could be the ultimate embarrassment.

Crawley Town v Derby County

Crawley player to watch: Matt Tubbs. A summer signing from Salisbury, believed to have cost around £70,000, 26-year-old Tubbs has been an instant success with 21 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions. Currently the top scorer in the Conference National, he's been tipped to play in the Football League next season regardless of whether Crawley secure promotion.
Derby player to watch: Kris Commons. With 13 goals this season, Commons has scored more than three times as many as any other Derby player despite operating from midfield. Skilful and creative, he is also an expert from set-pieces and the most likely danger man. Amid reports he could leave the club on a Bosman in the summer, he may be keen to use the FA Cup as a shop window.
Key battle: Michel Kuipers v Derby strikeforce. Veteran Dutch goalkeeper Kuipers endured a difficult start to his Crawley career after being dismissed twice in his first five games for the club, but he has conceded only two goals in his last four league games. He's likely to face a tougher test against Championship opposition, but Derby have been hugely reliant on Commons for goals this season - Luke Moore and Tomasz Cywka are joint second in their top goalscorer list with four apiece - so he may be able to keep them at bay.

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