TEAM NEWS
Manchester City
Sergio Aguero is due to travel with the squad but it looks as though Guardiola will make a late decision as to whether he will be included in the starting line-up. With a Champions League clash against Tottenham Hotspur coming up as well, the manager could choose to rest Aguero and play Gabriel Jesus as well who looked lively for City against Cardiff. Zinchenko's injury leaves Guardiola with a slight problem regarding the left-back position.
Danilo could fill in as it is unlikely that Benjamin Mendy, who has onnly just recovered from injury, will be thrown straight back into the mix for such a big game. Phil Foden will be hoping to retain his place in the starting line-up after impressing recently. Vincent Kompany could come in a centre-back, giving Guardiola the opportunity to rest important players such as Laporte, Fernandinho and Kevin de Bruyne ahead of the Champions League.
Brighton and Hove Albion
In the previous round of the FA Cup, Brighton's Locadia and March both scored but have been suffering with calf problems as of late. Hughton will hope that the two key players can recover in time to face a hungry Manchester City side. Pascal Gross is a confirmed absence, while Glenn Murray could be welcomed back into the starting line-up after a midweek second-half cameo.
MANAGERS' THOUGHTS
Pep Guardiola
"When I was young you saw the final of FA Cup more than a Premier League game. The tradition, the fans, the managers. I cannot deny how nice it would be for me personally. The club has won it five times and we want another one, so we will try.
"This, I’m sure, will be a fantastic occasion. Brighton are a side committed to playing attractive football and I’m really looking forward to facing them at this beautiful stadium."
City manager on possible returns from injury:
(On Zinchenko) "I think he said 10-12 days and he will be back, hopefully.
"We will see (about squad selection). Not everybody fit but almost everyone is. Sergio Aguero is almost fit. He is travelling with us."
Chris Hughton
“It’s a big opportunity for everyone here at the football club, but it’s not been difficult for me to separate the league and cup, because we know how important the Premier League is.
“One thing we’ve always stressed to the players throughout the competition is that there are a lot of good players who have never had the opportunity to get to a final of this competition, or even a semi-final.
“They’ve got to make the most of it and put in a performance that they can be proud of - the occasion will take care of itself, we certainly won’t have to motivate anybody to run harder or play as well as they can on the afternoon.
“We have to deal with their quality, that’s our biggest task - we have to give everything, irrespective of the result, and to be able to come away proud of the performance by the team.
“They have an array of players who are top players, they’re a very fit and motivated side – that shows by the fact they’re going for all four trophies.”
FORM GUIDE
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester City
Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Danilo; D Silva, Gundogan, Foden; Bernardo, Jesus, Sterling
Brighton and Hove Albion
Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo; Propper, Stephens, Bissouma; Jahanbakhsh, Murray, Knockaert