Without doubt the biggest fixture of a pretty encouraging Round of 16 in the EFL Cup is Manchester United hosting Manchester City. It seems like only yesterday the two titans clashed in the Premier League, and with the 2-1 beating the Citizens dished out still fresh, revenge is sure to be on Jose Mourinho’s mind.

However, the Portuguese also has the pressure of recent results weighing on his shoulders, too. There’s no way ‘The Special One’ will be excited by the prospect of taking on one of his greatest rivals, Pep Guardiola, after a miserable two weeks. Another loss will only heighten the criticism he’s currently receiving, after all.

Guardiola himself cannot really do without at least a good performance. Man City are quickly beginning to forget what winning feels like  and another big game slip will raise serious questions given the quality of the players at the ex-Barcelona man’s disposal.

This game is set to be a cracker, then. We at FFC Towers are convinced of this, and we think there will be some interesting battles on the pitch…

David de Gea vs. Kelechi Iheanacho

Mourinho is unlikely to put his faith in Sergio Romero for a game that he'll see as must-win now, so De Gea will almost certainly keep his place.

The Spaniard, aside from his hesitance for Pedro’s Chelsea goal on Sunday, has been in decent form so far this season, but he’ll be tested by whichever of their attacking threats Manchester City choose.

We have a suspicion Iheanacho will get the nod, with the Nigerian having come off the bench to net the equaliser during the 1-1 with Southampton on the weekend. The pacey youngster needs game time and Sergio Aguero could do with a match out of the limelight.

Wayne Rooney vs. Fernandinho

So long as he can shake off a thigh injury, Rooney should be put into the Man United XI. The Red Devils’ skipper sat out of the Chelsea game with the aforementioned problem, but Mourinho needs to rotate a little and will be eager to have his skipper involved for such a huge match.

Fernandinho could well be Man City’s deepest midfielder and the Brazilian has been formidable under Guardiola. If he’s at the top of his game, Rooney may struggle to find any space.

Marcus Rashford vs. Claudio Bravo

Rashford’s game time has been limited in terms of playing as the main striker this term, but with Zlatan Ibrahimovic out of sorts, the teenager may get his chance at Old Trafford. The England international is sure to be afforded opportunities by a Man City backline that has shown itself to be porous in recent weeks, so chances are he’ll have a straight-up duel with Bravo.

The Citizens’ Chilean has been criticised for his erratic playing style since making his move from Barcelona, but he’s an athletic shot-stopper who is, lest we forget, very much decorated in terms of medals won. Rashford’s pace and energy will be vital in terms of closing him down and forcing errors.

Jose Mourinho vs. Pep Guardiola

We’re sure the cameras will be focused on the Iberian tacticians. Anyone with even a passing interest in football know the great bosses don’t have the healthiest of relationships, so things could boil over on the touchline. After all, the duo need wins, given recent results on both the red and blue halves of Manchester.

Leroy Sane vs. Luke Shaw

Sane is slowly breaking into this Man City team after his big-money move to England from Schalke and he’s likely to be afforded some game time here with Raheem Sterling due a much-needed rest. The youngster has pace to burn, which will be a worry for Luke Shaw, who himself is rusty after a while out of the action.

The English full-back is a fearsome prospect in a defence full of confidence, but Man United are very much at the other end of the scale at the moment - so Sane will surely have opportunities to get at him.