Gray`s Wednesday To Tackle Cup Holders Manchester City

Sheffield Wednesday have made a dazzling start to their third consecutive season in the second tier of English football. Under the stewardship of Stuart Gray, Wednesday have a 15 point return from their first eight games and sit in the final play-off spot at this early stage in the season. Tonight (24th September, 7:45) Gray`s men travel to the Etihad Stadium for a Capital One Cup clash with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, whose 3-1 victory over Sunderland last season also saw Manuel Pellegrini`s side the last men standing in this competition.

Whilst City received a bye through to this stage due to their participation in the Champions League, the Owl`s journey in the tournament began in round one having to fend off Notts County and Premier League new-boys Burnley to make it this far. Goals in the first ten minutes for Jacques Maghoma and Gary Madine provided Wednesday with the perfect start against East Midlands` side County in the first round. A further goals from Atdhe Nuhiu added insult to injury for the Magpies and saw the Yorkshire outfit progress through to round two. Nuhiu was again on target in their 1-0 victory away at Turf Moor, his late penalty being enough to see Sean Dyche`s somewhat weakened team limp out of the competition.

Manchester City will prove to be a different kettle of fish, however, with a plethora of bookmakers making the North West side 2/7 (Betvictor, paddy Power, Totesport, william hill) favourites to halt Gray`s side`s good form. Twelve to one (betfred, boylesports, Coral) says that Wednesday will be able to cause arguably the biggest giant killing of the competition so far, whilst the match being tied after 90 minutes has been priced up at 6/1 (bet365, betfred).

Tournament fancies City will have to justify favouritism without right-back Pablo Zabaleta who saw red in the side`s 1-1 draw against title pace-setters Chelsea. The 29-year-old subsequently apologised for the tackle that saw him leave the field though brought into question referee Mike Dean`s decision not to send off Chelsea`s in-form striker Diego Costa. Zabaleta posted a photograph of the Spaniard on social media, the striker`s hands clearly around his throat. `I can`t believe that Diego Costa remained on the pitch,` The Argentinean told his 1.76 million Twitter followers. The clash against Wednesday will be the only game for which he will be suspended.

The Citizens will also be without the trio of Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri and David Silva, all of whom are recovering from injuries. Aguero, who has already bagged three goals this season, took a knock to the knee in the team`s match-up against Chelsea. Both he and Silva (ankle) are set to return for Saturday`s (27th September) Premier League tie with Hull City. Nasri is to be sidelined for a week with a groin issue. He is expected to feature again in their Champions League clash against Roma.

With such potent attacking forces out, future stars Jordi Hiwula and Jose Pozo have been installed as the 7/2 (Numerous) joint favourites to break the deadlock, whilst experienced head Edin Dzeko (bet365) is 4/1 to open the scoring. Stuart Gray is set to call upon Jeremy Helan to play his part in trying to bring down his former club whilst ex-Premier League goalkeeper Chris Kirkland should also get the nod having played in the previous two Capital One Cup fixtures. The 33-year-old`s last game against City came as a Wigan player in a one all draw back in 2009. Wednesday are 25/1 to win to nil in a game manager Stuart Gray says that nobody expects them to win.

`It one of them games where nobody gives us a chance. We can go there and play with confidence.` The 54-year-old former coach told the Sheffield Star.

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24/09/2014     © Frixo 2026