The England number one will be rested for the fixture, with City trailing 2-1 from the first leg.
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Pellegrini revealed in his own press conference yesterday that Mangala, Nasri, Kolarov, Bony and captain Vincent Kompany will be sidelined.
“The ideal world going into a game like Wednesday would be with a win”, said the former City player.
The prolific Argentine saved his best for the run-in last term, striking 13 times from mid-February onwards, and he has started his hot streak even earlier in this campaign, as evidenced by the braces against impressive Crystal Palace and West Ham teams in his most recent two appearances. So, the question to be asked about Roberto Martinez is that will Everton either park the bus and strike on the counter or attack Manuel Pellegrini’s troops as they normally would do. One of the most important things is the desire to play another final at Wembley and we must reflect that [in the performance].
But Pellegrini remained hopeful that City, having reduced prices to £20 for adults and £5 for concessions, will play in front of a passionate, full stadium of home supporters urging his team on for the victory they require.
Phil Jagielka is to return to the starting line-up for Everton, and manager Roberto Martinez expects Jagielka’s presence to make a difference.
City are a top side, and I am sure they will come out fast and try to get a goal, but we will be prepared for that and we’re capable of scoring ourselves.
Bet365 regard Man City as the 1/2 favourites to win the tie and the 8/11 favourites to qualify, while Everton are doubted at 11/2 to win in 90 minutes and 1/1 to make the final. “That doesn’t mean we play in a different manner away from home – we’ve got the same personnel, the same way of playing – so there are aspects that are affecting the manner of goals we are conceding”.
“It is the third time we are going to play against Everton in a month, so we know all about their team”, he said.
The Citizens have never lost at home in a cup competition to Everton (W3 D1), though they last hosted the Toffees in the FA Cup in March 1981.
If the crowd goes above 50,000, as the club hope, it will be City’s biggest cup attendance for 41 years. “I think we can win every game because we have an awesome team but in some parts of the game we need to take responsibility and concentrate more”.
Manchester City have all to play for at the Etihad, in a game which can have massive repercussions in the title race.
Midfielder Muhamed Besic (hamstring) and forward Kevin Mirallas (tendon) have been ruled out, while Joel Robles will replace Tim Howard in goal.
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The 21-year-old has bagged five goals in the Premier League this season.
