Major FA Cup fifth round rule change impacting Manchester City and Luton Town ahead of clash

Manchester City and Luton Town could both be impacted by a major change to the competition rules ahead of Tuesday’s tie.

Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Luton Town for an Emirates FA Cup fifth round clash on Tuesday evening, with Manchester City facing the Hatters in the historic competition for the first time since 1969.

City, who played at Kenilworth Road for the first time this century when the two sides met in the Premier League in December, came from behind to secure a nervous 1-2 win after quick-fire goals from Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish.

The win at Luton forms part of the Sky Blues’ current 17-match unbeaten streak, with Manchester City having won 15 of their past 17 matches across all competitions, including wins over both Huddersfield at Tottenham to reach the FA Cup fifth round.

City have won each of their past eight FA Cup matches by an aggregate score of 25-1 and have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals in all but one of the seven previous campaigns under Guardiola’s management.

Luton beat both Bolton and Everton to reach the fifth round, and despite being winless since January, the Hatters are bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1994.

The home side haven’t beat City since a League Cup win in 1988 at Kenilworth Road, but Rob Edwards’ side have showed promise against the top-six this campaign, with inspired performances against City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Should the scores be level between Manchester City and Luton on Tuesday night the game will not go to a replay at the Etihad Stadium however, with the Football Association announcing a change to the competition rules from the fifth round.

Ties level at 90 minutes from the fifth round will straight to extra-time and penalties, with replays having been scrapped in an attempt to slim down the competition.

Manchester City successfully overcame both Huddersfield and Tottenham without a replay, although Luton did require a third round replay against League One side Bolton.

Guardiola’s side are action again on Sunday against Manchester United in the Premier League, meanwhile Luton host Aston Villa on Saturday evening.