Manchester City

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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Paul Konchesky

The left-back completed his move to the club on transfer deadline day, signing a four-year contract having enhanced his reputation while at Craven Cottage.

The 29-year-old played a big part in helping Fulham finish seventh the season before last and followed that up by helping the Cottagers reach the first European final in their history.

Konchesky’s move to Liverpool appears to have been on the cards since Roy Hodgson left his post as Fulham manager to takeover at Anfield, with the Reds having been without a left-back for the majority of the summer.

Hodgson had been looking at Aston Villa’s Luke Young but decided to stick with Konchesky after working with him at Fulham.

Konchesky becomes Liverpool’s eighth summer signing after they completed the signings of Raul Meireles, Christian Poulsen, Joe Cole, Brad Jones, Milan Jovanovic, Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Wilson.

Despite the new arrivals the Reds have got off to a slow start, notching up their first win of the season with an unconvincing 1-0 victory over West Brom (4/5 to be relegated) on Sunday.

While Liverpool are already five points off current league leaders and defending champions Chelsea, Konchesky believes the current squad are capable of challenging for top honours.

“I’m very excited to be here. I can’t wait to get started and I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” he told the club’s official website.

“I want to win silverware. I believe this club is capable of doing that and hopefully we can start this year.”

Having been a beaten finalist in last season’s Europa League Konchesky is eager to right the wrongs of Fulham’s defeat to Athletico Madrid (16/1 Europa League outright) and win the same competition with Liverpool (11/1) this season.

“I am really excited by that. Liverpool have a great tradition in Europe. We got to the final with Fulham last season but hopefully we can go one step further this year and win it with Liverpool,” he added.

Liverpool will fancy their chances of doing well in the Europa League this season having reached the semi-final stage of the competition in the last campaign.

However, the Reds have been drawn in a tough group after being paired with Napoli, Steaua Bucharest and Utrecht.

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The Frenchman moved across north London from arch rivals Arsenal this summer after spending four years at the Emirates.

Gallas failed to win any trophies with the Gunners and is now hoping that he can pick up some silverware with Spurs this season.

The White Hart Lane club (5/2 – top-4 finish) managed to secure Champions League qualification last season as they scraped past Manchester City to the fourth spot in the Premier League.

Spurs have looked to bolster the squad this summer to help them compete in Europe and domestically in the upcoming campaign.

However, Brazilian midfielder Sandro has been the only signing – apart from Gallas – to join the north Londoners.

Despite this the 33-year-old believes that Spurs can challenge for the title in the top flight this season.

He said: “We just have to believe in ourselves.”

“We have got young players with great quality, they just have to believe in their capacity to do something. I hope we can achieve this,” he added.

Tottenham lost the first leg of their Champions League qualifier 3-2 to Swiss side Young Boys and will have to win at home if they want to get through to the group stages of the competition.

Gallas has not been registered for European matches for Spurs and will have to watch his new club from the sidelines when they play the second-leg on Wednesday.

He said: “Spurs are ready for the Champions League, even though they lost the first game.

“I have seen the game and the team showed character to come back. I am confident we will win that game.”

“I have played many games in the Champions League. It is the best level to play at as you are up against the biggest teams and you can show how good you are,” he added.

Gallas would be registered for the group stages of the Champions League if they do manage to get a positive result on Wednesday against Young Boys.

Spurs have made a good start to the Premier League season, drawing against Manchester City and winning at Stoke.

Gallas is likely to feature for his new club when they take on Wigan at White Hart Lane.

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