Leyton Orient v Manchester City

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Match Preview

Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens is hoping to gain a modicum of revenge on Pep Guardiola and Manchester City when the sides meet in the FA Cup fourth round tomorrow.

Wellens is a lifelong Manchester United supporter and still has a season ticket at Old Trafford. And he says the success of United’s cross-town rivals in recent years has made his life a misery at times.

He said: “I have to say Pep has caused me a lot of pain in the past, me and my sons, with how good they are.

“But it’s the best of the best. He’s a genius, he’s a pioneer, a lot of coaches look up to him. What he’s done, especially in English football, he’s changed a lot of coaches’ thinking.”

Orient sit sixth in League One and continue to make solid progress under Wellens but he accepts a clash with City – despite all their issues this season – is a massive step up in quality.

“We can’t wait,” he said. “It’s good exposure for the club and we’ve got a lot of young, talented players who have really grown this season so for them to go up against some of the best players in the world is really good for them.

“It’s more about us trying to put on a show and stay in the game as much as possible. City are a brilliant football team, but there are a few vulnerabilities about them at the moment. Can we try and expose them as much as we can?

“In terms of the day, this club almost went out of business six or seven years ago so to be where we are in the league and to be hosting probably the best team the Premier League has ever seen is huge testament to the club and how far it has come.

“Our analysts have been in their element this week, watching clips of PSG, Arsenal and Liverpool. We saw some vulnerabilities there, but they are playing against top, top opposition. It’s a question of whether we are remotely able to capitalise on them.”

Manchester City head to London for the second weekend in succession and will expect to perform better than they did in losing 5-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates last Sunday.

City did show their prowess against lower-league sides in round three, however, hammering neighbours Salford City 8-0 at the Etihad.

Orient have taken a more circuitous route with wins over Boreham Wood, Oldham and Derby County.

Leyton Orient v Manchester City Team News

Leyton Orient have no fresh injury worries although January signings Rarmani Edmonds-Green and Randell Williams are cup tied and not eligible.

Wellens will, therefore, choose from the squad that lost 1-0 against Stockport County last weekend.

Guardiola was keeping his cards close to his chest when asked about his line-up but it is likely it will be a mix of the side that beat Salford with a sprinkling of the new signings.

That means Nico Gonzalez and Vitor Reis could make their debuts while Abdukodir Khusanov gets another chance at centre-half.

Divin Mubama is likely to replace Erling Haaland in attack.

Leyton Orient v Manchester City Expected Line-ups

Leyton Orient: Keeley; Galbraith, Cooper, Happe, Currie; Pratley, Brown; Markanday, Donley, Abdulai, Kelman

Manchester City: Ortega; Nunes, Khusanov, Reis, Lewis; Gonzalez, Gundogan; Savinho, McAtee, Grealish; Mubama

How to watch Leyton Orient v Manchester City: Live stream, TV channel

The game kicks-off at 1245 at Brisbane Road. It is being shown live on BBC One. It can also be streamed on BBC iPlayer.

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