Kicking some tail at the moment my friend!

ScottT: Aye, it is!

mgriffin2012: It's going great so far!

Griffo: Yeah we're in great form right now, hopefully we can keep it going!

The Quarter Final of the 2015/16 Capital One Cup tournament has thrown up a local derby between favourites for the competition, Manchester City, and their lower league neighbours, Oldham Athletic. Both sides are in good form going into what should be a closer fought contest than many are suggesting.

In this special feature of the Manchester Evening News, we'll be comparing the two sides; form, danger men, teams news and looking at predicted line ups.


The hosts, Oldham Athletic, come into this match off the back of a ten match unbeaten run which stretches back to mid October. The Latics have scored nineteen and conceded just four in the process. They currently top of League One, and are enjoying their best league campaign in years.

Having spent big in the summer Manuel Pellegrini's City side are top of the English football pyramid. Since their 3-0 derby thrashing of Manchester United on the same Oldham lost their last game, October 17th, they've lost just one of their last thirteen in all competitions. In a tough Champions League group containing Barcelona, the Citizens qualified for the Round of 16 with a 2nd placed finish.




The Latics have key players all over the park, but most specifically is striker Dominic Poleon and his partner in crime, Aaron Kuhl. Poleon has seventeen goals all told so far, thirteen of which have come in League One, four in the League Cup. With his impressive form leading to a new chant of 'Poleon's on fire' (below) in the Boundary Park terraces. On loan Reading midfielder Aaron Kuhl only has two goals, but his nine assists and dominant midfield performances have earned him earned him likenings to Andrea Pirlo.


For Manchester City, Sergio Aguero will always be around the top of any key players list involving them, the Argentine has sixteen in all competitions in what looks to be yet another productive campaign. Yaya Toure isn't having his best season, but when on form, the Ivorian is unplayable.



Oldham will not have the services of captain Liam Kelly after the Scotsman damaged his kneecap, but other than that the Latics have no injuries or suspensions.

However Manchester City have several injury problems, with Kelechi Iheanacho (sprained ankle), Kevin de Bruyne (achilles tendon) and David Silva (pulled hamstring) all out of the game. Captain Vincent Kompany (pictured) will also face a late fitness check to confirm his availability following a thigh strain.




For Oldham it is likely they'll stick with their 4-1-4-1 formation, and look to counter attack at any opportunity.


Joel Coleman should keep his spot in goal, the back four should stay the same with the exception of Timothee Dieng being pushed into midfield, James Wilson takes his place to partner vice captain Anthony Gerrard in the heart of the defence. Abdul Razak will likely start against his former club of three years. Dominic Poleon will spearhead the attack.


We can expect Willy Caballero to take up his place as City's cup keeper for this one, it's unlikely Vincent Kompany will be available for the squad so Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi should start in defence, with Aleks Kolarov and Bacary Sagna operating in the full back positions. Fabian Delph should start to rotate the midfield, and opportunities to youngsters could land Brandon Barker his first start for the club, with Sergio Aguero and Wilfried Bony starting up front.



Oldham Athletic 1-3 Manchester City

We predict Oldham to put up a big fight, but ultimately City's quality should see them through. We think Dominic Poleon will give the Latics the lead, before Wilfried Bony will score two and Yaya Toure will seal it with a late penalty.

Really cool preview with some awesome graphics! Hope you can beat City!

If you beat City I will eat my hat!

Massive game for you that is, hope you can somehow pull it off!

Loving the graphics for this preview mate