Manchester City midfielder Nigel De Jong says the club’s players are as desperate as the fans to end their long wait for a trophy and the FA Cup now looks their best chance of doing so this season as they prepare to host Reading in the quarter-finals on Sunday.
City have not picked up silverware since they won the 1976 League Cup but success is surely on the horizon given the huge amount of money that has been lavished on the team by the club’s rich owners in the past couple of years.
Indeed, some would say a trophy is now overdue which is why Sunday’s home game against the Championship outfit is so important – especially in the light of the 2-0 Europa League defeat against Dynamo Kiev in midweek.
There is still a second leg to come against the Ukrainians as the Blues look to make amends for Thursday’s disappointment, but if the Royals were to earn a replay, or even beat City on their own patch, then that would be an even bigger surprise.
Nothing other than a comfortable City win is expected at Eastlands this weekend as Roberto Mancini’s side aim to take their place in the last four and book a first trip to the new Wembley in the process.
But Reading, who have enjoyed themselves in this competition in recent years, must not be underestimated.
Brian McDermott masterminded a 1-0 win at Everton in the fifth round last month so they know how to win at big venues in the competition.
Likely to be backed by a large away following, Reading will look to play it tight early on before trying to nick a goal as the game develops, but it looks a tall order for them to extend their fine run in the FA Cup.
City will be bang up for the game with the pressure on Mancini to deliver something this season and they are attractively priced at 8/1 to win 3-0. Another tempting bet is draw/Man City in the half-time/full-time market as Reading set their stall out to defend early on.
McDermott’s side are a huge 8/1 to claim another top-flight scalp and, while the draw at 18/5 looks inviting, we can’t see it happening. It is likely to be the end of Reading’s run while City should stay on course for that trophy everyone at Eastlands is so desperately after.
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