Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers, FA Cup: Where to Watch Live, Preview and Team News

Manchester City welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Etihad Stadium for the third round replay in the FA Cup on Wednesday.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 8:10pm GMT. Live coverage is on ITV 1 and ITV HD. Radio commentary of the game will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Overview

City come into this game on the back of a hard fought 2-0 win against Newcastle United at St James' Park in the Premier League last Sunday. Edin Dzeko opened the scoring for the visitors early in the first half but had to wait till the 95<sup>th minute for the second goal before Alvaro Negredo killed off the hosts' chances of getting a point from the game.

The victory ended on a controversial note as the referee Mike Jones disallowed Newcastle's equalizer which was slammed in by Cheick Tiote. Manuel Pellegrini lost Samir Nasri to a knee injury in that fixture after the Frenchman was fouled by Magpies' defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in the second-half.

However, the Citizens will be confident of sealing a place in the next round of this competition courtesy of their resilient performances at home this season. Pellegrini's side has won every game played at the Etihad; the only exception being the 1-3 defeat against Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League fixture in October last year.

City are unbeaten in their last 15 matches in all competitions with only Southampton and Rovers denying them victory. The Citizens' last home game witnessed a 6-0 mauling of West Ham United in the Capital One Cup semi-final fist leg on January 4.

Meanwhile, Rovers come into this game having beaten Doncaster Rovers 1-0 in their Championship fixture at Ewood Park last Saturday. Rudy Gestede, who made his loan move from Cardiff City permanent on January 2, scored the game's only goal right on the cusp of half-time as Gary Bowyer's side secured all the three points.

Rovers forced City to a 1-1 draw at home on January 4 in their previous clash between the two sides as Scott Dann scored the equalizer for the hosts after Alvaro Negredo had given Pellegrini's side the lead just before half-time.

Rovers are currently eighth in the table with 37 points, 17 behind leaders Leicester City after 25 matches. Bowyer will be hoping that his side can pull off a massive upset in the FA Cup third round replay and maintain his side's unbeaten run in 2014.

What Managers Say

Manuel Pellegrini: "They didn't surprise me, I think that they played a very good match at home and I'm absolutely sure that tomorrow we have to have a very good game if we want to win because they are very motivated and a strong team. They know exactly the way they want to play, so we must be very attentive tomorrow in defending and in counter attacks, for different set pieces and try to score a goal against a defence that will be very close."

Gary Bowyer: "It is fantastic, everyone is excited, relishing the challenge of going to a fantastic stadium to play a fantastic team. We've got everything to gain, no-one outside of our dressing room gives us a prayer and those are situations that we quite like. They are formidable at home but we'll be telling our players to go and have a good go at it, enjoy it and express themselves. Go and see how far they have come."

Form Guide

Manchester City

• Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W D W W
• Last Result: Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City

Blackburn Rovers

• Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W D W L D
• Last Result: Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Doncaster Rovers

Team News

Manchester City

• Injured: Stevan Jovetic (hamstring), Jack Rodwell (hamstring), Samir Nasri (knee), Yaya Toure (back), David Silva (knock)
• Doubtful: N/A
• Suspended: N/A

Probable Line-Up: Pantilimon; Richards, Nastasic, Lescott, Clichy; Navas, Garcia, Fernandinho, Milner; Dzeko, Negredo

Blackburn Rovers

• Injured: Dickson Etuhu (ankle), Todd Kane (thigh), Corry Evans (ankle)
• Doubtful: N/A
• Suspended: N/A

Probable Line-Up: Robinson; Henley, Dann, Hanley, Spurr; Marshall, Lowe, Cairney, Taylor; Rhodes, Gestede