Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has denied the League Cup is easier to win than the FA Cup.

But he says the format of the FA Cup is damaging to teams trying to win the Premier League and competing in the Champions League and needs to change.

"Two years ago, the solution the FA proposed was to play Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday before the final week of the season," he said. "It is impossible to play every 48 hours and think you can try and win the three games.

"I am sure this will be the last year. They need to make a change. The format of the cup damages the Premier League and the Champions League."

Image source, Getty Images

The debate over Pellegrini's decision to field a young, under-strength side in defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup continues to rumble on.

But the Chilean is sticking to his guns and has his eyes on a bigger prize...

“It was a very difficult decision but it was the correct one," he said about the team selection against Chelsea.

“One of the reasons we won the Premier League was that we were knocked out of the FA Cup in the quarter-final to Wigan in 2014.”

Image source, Get

Pellegrini moves on to discuss how Sunday's final will inspire his side, who have looked a little lacklustre in recent weeks.

“To play a final at Wembley creates a different atmosphere," he said. "It’s a special thing.”

“To win a title in February gives you a lot of trust to continue fighting for other competitions.”

Could a trio of trophies still be on for City? 

Image source, Getty Images

Fifa. Europa League. Premier League. It's all happening in football today but don't forget about the League Cup final between Liverpool and Manchester City on Sunday.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini is looking ahead to the game and starts with some team news. 

"Eliaquim Mangala, Jesus Navas and Wilfried Bony are training normally and are available for selection," he said.

“Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany and Raheem Sterling are recovering separately from the Kyiv game but I hope the three of them will be fit.”

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Manuel Pellegrini took a calculated gamble last weekend when he effectively surrendered a place in the FA Cup against Chelsea.

The immediate return was impressive as Manchester City took the Champions League initiative against Dynamo Kiev. If City also win the League Cup on Sunday, the Chilean will have every reason to be pleased with himself. 

We'll hear from him shortly...

The voting is underway, then, and some good news... 

Fifa says a winner must be declared on Friday because an ice hockey rink is due to be installed at the Hallenstadion venue at midnight.

There are 209 Fifa nations but Kuwait and Indonesia are currently barred from taking part but are present, presumably for the buffet.

To become president after the first round of voting, a candidate needs to secure two-thirds of the votes, so 138. If no candidate achieves that mark, then a simple majority is required in the second round, so 104.

If there is still no winner, then a third round will take place, minus the candidate with the fewest votes in round two. And if anyone is still watching at that point, good luck to them.

Image source, .

James Nadal: Seriously hard draw again for THFC vs Dortmund but if the Lane is rocking again like last night we’ve got a fighting chance.

Mike Hunkin: What a draw for Spurs. Sure we didn't want to draw them but on our current form did anyone want to be drawn against us?

Chris O'Callaghan: Tough draw for Spurs but ideal opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best to see how good this side is.

Not to dampen the party around this Liverpool v Manchester United tie, but it is a meeting between the sides in fifth and eight in a league currently rated the third best in Europe by Uefa.

Dortmund v Tottenham is a far more intriguing prospect, surely?

German legend Lothar Matthaus seems to think so...

So the vote gets underway with a Sexwale-shaped hole on the ballot.

Afghanistan are up first, with 207 voters in total.

Will it be Champagne on ice? A knockout for Ali? A Sheikh-up for Salman? Or Gianni joy?

We'll see...

Nerdy_N23: An absolutely horrific draw... But I look forward to it.

Desmond Oguda: This is a dream draw for LvG...he loves playing Liverpool. He must be smiling for a second day in a row now.

Harry Grierson: Happy with that draw - Liverpool stayed clear of the big boys.

BBC Radio 5 Live

The show has an Oscars theme this week with rugby union great Martin Bayfield, Scotland football captain Gemma Fay and retired sprinter Jeanette Kwakye all having acted as well as taken part in high-level international sport. 

The big question is 'what's the greatest sporting film of all-time?'

Listen live here from 13:00-14:00 GMT

Fair to say Tokyo Sexwale has brightened up a few journalists' days...

Image source, Getty Images

So Tokyo Sexwale announces he is a new father, boasts he will provide "the biggest party", then suspends his candidature.

Wonderful showmanship from the man who used to present the South African version of The Apprentice...

Richard Conway
BBC Radio 5 live sports news correspondent

Tokyo Sexwale withdraws from Fifa election.

That's how you end a speech...

Image source, Getty Images

Just on Gianni Infantino, the man currently running Uefa has been stitched up by his own men here. He was given his speech as the Europa League draw was happening. That's the draw organised and hosted by Uefa.

Still, our man in the hall was impressed...

A brief interlude from the speeches... Tokyo Sexwale has just announced to the room that he became a father three days ago. No slowing down at the age of 62 for the South African...

"A vote for me is a vote for virile older men everywhere," he didn't quite say.

The mind games begin from a former Liverpool captain...

Now now Gary...

Image source, Getty Images

So the first leg of Liverpool v Manchester United is scheduled for March 10 - the same day Tottenham go to Dortmund.

The return matches are one week later. Brace yourselves...

Image source, AFP

It just had to happen didn't it? Liverpool against Manchester United. Huge.

That means no clash between the two in the final for a Champions League spot next season but does guarantee a Premier League side in the Europa League quarter-finals.

And what about Tottenham playing Borussia Dortmund? Bet that wasn't in Mauricio Pochettino's plans.

Plenty of other talking points in that draw - let us know what you think on #bbcsportsday