Sheffield Wednesday are gearing up to face Manchester City in the FA Cup Fifth Round, looking to cause the biggest upset of the round with a win over the current holders of the cup.

The Owls are taking a welcome break from Championship football tonight as they face Man City, having gone on a poor run of just two wins in 2020. Garry Monk is overseeing what looks like the midst of a transitional period at Hillsborough with a number of first-team players’ futures cast into doubt heading into the summer.

A win over Charlton Athletic last week looked to have eased some of the pressure on Monk and allayed the slight fears of slipping into the relegation battle with ongoing concerns over their recent EFL charge, but the negativity crept back in as they were comprehensively beaten 3-1 at home to Derby County at the weekend.

Up next is a clash against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, as the Owls look to thwart a second successive FA Cup winning season for the Citizens to add to their growing cabinet, after a successful Carabao Cup campaign against Aston Villa at the weekend.

It’s set to be one of the toughest games of the season for Wednesday against the side much-likened to retain the trophy this season, so here we take a look at five key battles to look out for tonight…

Barry Bannan v Kevin De Bruyne

Having missed out at the weekend at Wembley, it wouldn’t be surprising to see City's Belgium midfielder international start against Wednesday tonight and help them push towards the quarter-finals.

Both players are of the ilk where if they are on top form, they make the whole team tick and it could be a key battle in the middle of the pitch to gain control of proceedings, as a lot of the play for the away side will come through the central midfielders.

If Bannan managed to get a hold on the game and influence it in key areas, it would be a good avenue for them to create chances against a typically dominant side.

Morgan Fox v Riyad Mahrez

Another player who will most likely be handed a start after not doing so at Wembley could be Riyad Mahrez and he will be up against Wednesday’s Morgan Fox, a man who scored in the last round away to QPR.

Fox has been arguably the Owls’ most consistent player this season after coming in for a lot of flack in recent seasons for the opposite and his performances down the left side have been marvellous.

He will be up against it from the outset as Riyad Mahrez looks to get in behind the defence to score or provide from the right-wing.

The danger that the Algerian international possesses is that it is one thing knowing that he can cut inside onto his stronger left foot, but it’s another thing trying to stop it. Fox will need to pull out another top draw defensive performance to stifle his impact.

Dominic Iorfa v Gabriel Jesus

Having only come on in the 84th-minute at Wembley, Gabriel Jesus is another player who looks set to start at Hillsborough, looking to continue his FA Cup form after his brace against Fulham in the Fourth Round.

Dominic Iorfa will be likely to start for the Owls in defence after a calamitous first-half showing from Tom Lees against the Rams on Saturday, and has been very impressive in his conversion to centre-back from right-back.

Jesus’ movement off the ball causes problems for some of the best defences in world football, as he proved in his last start against Real Madrid, scoring and then forcing Sergio Ramos into a challenge that saw him sent off.

It will be a tough battle for the former Wolves man and focus will be key for him to get the better of Jesus.

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Atdhe Nuhiu v John Stones

The Kosovo international could start for Monk as Conor Wickham is cup-tied and Steven Fletcher is still building up fitness following his knee injury that he sustained in the Third Round against Brighton.

He has proven a handful throughout his career considering his height and physicality and it could play into the Owls’ hands as they come up against a side not as used to facing the more physical battles.

John Stones has been a solid defender for Guardiola since joining from Everton but he proved in the Third Round against Port Vale that the ‘target man’ style of striker can be a handful for him, which Nuhiu will be looking to take full advantage of.

Cameron Dawson v Claudio Bravo

The two ‘keepers both started the season as second choice but the former has been thrust into regular first-team action after the inconsistency of Keiren Westwood, and looks to have nailed down his starting berth.

Bravo has been utilised in all the domestic cup competitions this season in the place of Ederson and has been solid for City, looking assured on the ball and relatively comfortable when called into action.

Both ‘keepers will be tested tonight but the performance of Dawson will probably be more crucial to how the result goes, with a top performance giving the hosts a real chance at an upset, while Bravo must remain focused for the chances that may come his way.