Pellegrini hints at CIty changes

TITLE rivals Manchester City and Chelsea are set to renew hostilities as they meet in the FA Cup fifth round tomorrow (5.15pm kick-off).

Chelsea won 1–0 when the clubs met in a Barclays Premier League contest dominated by the Londoners last week.

Tomorrow’s rematch, also at Eastlands, has been given added spice by the apparent rivalry between the two managers, Manuel Pellegrini and Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea boss Mourinho has made a series of comments apparently deriding City on some subjects such as financial fair play, transfer spending, refereeing decisions and disciplinary matters.

City's Pellegrini has largely refrained from getting involved in a war of words but hit back over Mourinho’s remarks about referees and his claim Chelsea were the “little horse” in the title race.

Their latest clash is the pick of the four last–16 ties to be played this weekend.

It remains to be seen how strong a side either manager will field.

Mourinho has injury doubts over first–choice central defensive pair John Terry and Gary Cahill.

City must prepare for the visit of Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Pellegrini did hint at making changes for the game, but that was before his side’s midweek clash with Sunderland was postponed, handing them an unexpected night off.