With the English Premier League title slipping out of their hands, Manchester City will be desperate to continue their march in the F.A. Cup -- their only remaining realistic chance at a piece of silverware this season.
City host a dangerous Leeds United side, capable of upsetting the applecart given the slightest of chances. The Premier League champions were woeful against Southampton last weekend, and the 3-1 defeat left them 12 points adrift of United at the top of the league, with just 12 games remaining.
Roberto Mancini is under tremendous pressure to deliver some silverware this season, and the F.A. Cup now seems like the only chance at salvaging something, with the Manchester side knocked out of Europe as well.
"Now the F.A. Cup is different," Mancini told reporters. "It is clear that it will not be easy because they beat Tottenham. I don't think to play against Leeds is easy.
"In the F.A. Cup, every game is difficult. This is another way to do better in the last three months. It is possible to play in the final."
City welcome back defender Matija Nastasic, who missed the game against Southampton, which led to midfielder Javi Garcia playing as a center-back. Skipper Vicnent Kompany, though, is ruled out through injury, while Gareth Barry is sidelined due to an ankle problem.
Joe Hart is set to be rested by Mancini, who was disappointed with his players following their abject performance against the Saints, but otherwise the Italian is set to name a strong side to face Neil Warnock's men.
"Warnock is a top manager, he has big experience," Mancini added. "I played against him last year with QPR, we had big problems when we won 3-2 in London. He knows football very well.
"I will make some changes because I have two or three players injured but after that, I will play with the best team."
Championship side Leeds have been impressive in the Cup competitions so far, knocking out Tottenham in the F.A. Cup while upsetting Everton and Southampton in the Capital One Cup.
"We've done brilliantly in the cups so far," Warnock said. "We've shown what ability we've got in the squad and that's what makes it more frustrating with our league form.
"This is by far the toughest cup game we've had this time, because it's against the champions and it's the only competition they've got left to win.
"They're under pressure because they're in second place in the league. Anyone would love that kind of pressure, but they're not going to win the league this season."
Warnock is likely to rest veteran midfielder Michael Brown, while Jamie Ashdown is set to replace first choice goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.
Expected lineups: Manchester City: Pantilimon; Maicon, Lescott, Nastasic, Kolarov; Garcia, Toure; Milner, Silva, Tevez; Aguero.
Leeds: Ashdown; Peltier, Lees, Green, Austin; Varney, White, Tonge, Byram; Diouf, McCormack.
Prediction: 3-0 to City
