Man City v Barnsley: Emphatic win as Mancini takes no chances

Manchester City welcome Barnsley to the Etihad Stadium in the hope of securing an FA Cup semi-final berth, and they should do in a straightforward manner, at 1/7 to win in 90 minutes.

City have already overcome two Championship sides en route to this stage of the competition, and did so with plenty in hand, winning 3-0 and 4-0.

With that considered, and the fact that the 16/1 Tykes will be the lowest-placed of second-tier opposition to visit Eastlands this term, a look at handicap markets could prove worthy.

Roberto Mancini’s men are a terrific 1/1 to victor giving up a two-goal head-start, a bet that would also have paid dividends in the three most recent previous encounters involving these two.

And the Citizens wouldn’t even have been hindered by a three-goal theoretical disadvantage on two of those occasions, so they may see support to win giving up three strikes at 23/10 here.

Furthermore, with City possessing the top flight’s best defensive record, and the club having not conceded yet in the FA Cup this season, a home clean sheet looks nailed on at 7/10.

They are a better value 4/5 to win to nil which also deserves attention, whilst half markets could too prove a valuable profit-making method.

The hosts are 3/10 to lead at both half-time and full-time, as they have in two of their three FA Cup outings this term, and four of their last six home games in all competitions.

Two of their three tournament matches have seen them win both halves too, which they look massively overpriced to repeat again at 1/1.

Mancini will opt for a strong side here to ensure he remains in with a chance of landing some form of silverware this year, so a number of first scorer options make appeal.

At the forefront are Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero, with the Argentinian pairing 11/4 joint-favourites to find the net first, after both registered against Leeds last time out in this competition.

Edin Dzeko may prove a sensible 3/1 pick for the last goal meanwhile, if he can continue to enhance his ‘super sub’ reputation.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.