Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City: The Star's football writers give their FA Cup prediction

Here, some of The Star’s football writers offer their take on how they think things might pan out when Pep Guardiola’s men head to Hillsborough…

Alex Miller:

Let's make no mistake, this is a tall order for the Owls tonight.

Pep Guradiola's side is littered with some of the biggest names in world football and every indication is that he will use several of them as he aims to push his side past the anniversary of two years without defeat in domestic cup competition.

We could well see the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, and Guardiola has confirmed that Sergio Aguero is fit after coming off in their League Cup win on Sunday.

So Wednesday, out of form Sheffield Wednesday, have nothing to lose.

They've been playing with a touch of fear at Hillsborough in recent weeks but this is new territory for this side - a packed house under the lights in front of the cameras.

Expect Wednesday to sit in and allow City much of the ball, expect them to attempt to 'rough up' the champions when they can and expect them to play on the counter with the likes of Kadeem Harris and Jacob Murphy on the wings.

Whether that's even nearly enough remains to be seen. I'll predict a credible Owls performance in a 3-0 Man City win.

Chris Holt:

Without stating the obvious, defence is key and if we are honest, that concept doesn’t fill you with any great hope. Wednesday have been shipping stupid goals with alarming regularity this season and that’s only against Championship teams.

Imagine what it will be like if they switch off against some of Europe’s deadliest strikers! You would guess that Garry Monk’s spent the past couple of days working out how to tighten up. He could play five at the back, but at Birmingham in the first half they were all over the place trying to deal with Scott Hogan, let alone Sergio Aguero.

I would expect Tom Lees to miss out tonight, with Dominic Iorfa and Julian Borner the two central defenders but they are going to need protection from the midfield and lots of it.

One player I do believe is going to be vital, should he play, is Fernando Forestieri. He has the ability to pick the ball up and carry it up the pitch, therefore relieving the pressure and with a great knack of picking up free kicks in the process. And that’s where the best attacking outlet Wednesday have, comes in. If they keep things tight then the nuisance value of Atdhe Nuhiu or Steven Fletcher’s superb aerial ability comes into play.

I actually think Wednesday will score. It’ll be nowhere near enough, though.

Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 1 Manchester City 3

Ashley Booker

On paper you can’t see anything but a comprehensive win for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. They truly are a superstar team packed with world class talent from one to 11 (and beyond). But this is the FA Cup and the magic of it, yes I still believe it exists, can produce weird and wonderful things.

Who’d have thought Wigan would have defeated Pep’s Galacticos a couple of seasons ago and Bradford put four past Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2015? So, while I still believe the holders will progress I have a sneaky feeling Wednesday will do themselves proud tonight - but in defeat.

Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 0 Manchester City 2

Liam Norcliffe

Garry Monk refused to say tonight's match is a "free hit" but it clearly is.

Nobody will fancy Wednesday to get anything against the current Premier League champions so they can go out and play without the pressure that weighs them down during league games. It is a chance for the Owls to put some pride back in the shirt in front of the TV cameras after a dreadful second-half of the season.

The one thing Monk will be wary of his getting thumped by five or six and the game being over before half-time. The last thing he needs is any more confidence being drained from his players. I would expect Wednesday to set up 4-3-3, which will be much more like a 4-5-1, and play on the counter-attack.

It goes without saying that there will be no margin for error against Pep Guardiola's side so they will have to cut out the individual mistakes that cost them against Derby County on Saturday.

Set-pieces will be the Owls' best opportunity to score but I can't see anything other than a comfortable away win.

Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 0 Manchester City 4