AS with Brentford, Gillingham and Swindon before, City travel to Southampton in tonight's Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Section semi-final having met just weeks previously in the league.
The Coca-Cola League One match at St Mary's Stadium three-and-a-half weeks ago ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw with City twice levelling. Adam Lallana put the Saints ahead in the 11th minute before Wes Hoolahan restored parity at the second attempt after Kelvin Davis had turned the playmaker's penalty on to the post.
David Connolly made it 2-1 with a delightful curling effort but Stephen Hughes grabbed a point for City 15 minutes from time, sliding in after Davis' had parried Chris Martin's low piledriver, the Scottish midfielder having only been on the pitch for three minutes.
Since that draw on November 21, Southampton have won all five of their games and City striker Cody McDonald is well aware of the quality they possess.
"They're a good team, they proved that when we played against them in the league. We went there and got a hard-fought draw, which I felt we deserved and could have probably gone on and won. I think they do play their strongest team in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, it is going to be a really tough game but if we can perform like we did last game then I think we can come away with the win."
McDonald replaced Wes Hoolahan with ten minutes to go in the Canaries' topsy-turvy 3-3 draw at Huish Park against Yeovil Town at the weekend. If that wasn't enough, there was confusion over who scored City's dramatic late equaliser. The goal was originally credited to midfielder Darel Russell, despite it being Gary Doherty who got the decisive touch to right-back Russell Martin's long-range effort.
"It was a weird game, so weird, it was unbelievable really. To be 1-0 down at half-time and then to go 2-1 up, back to two-all, 3-2 down and then to get the late equaliser but it's a big point and could be a big point at the end of the season. There was a little bit of banter going around afterwards because originally the goal wasn't given to him (Doherty)."
With the side having lost just twice in their last 18 games in all competitions, confidence is understandably high.
"Even in situations like the other day when we're 3-2 down with two minutes to go we've come back and fought well and got the draw, hopefully we can keep up this run we've got."
With Grant Holt, Chris Martin and Hoolahan forging a prolific trio in attack, McDonald has found his chances limited this season.
"I've just got to be patient, I've got no complaints, the boys have been doing brilliantly, they've been given their chance, they're just doing what their job is and that is scoring goals. When I get my chance hopefully I can do the same.
"I think the other three have got 41 between them, that is just amazing to have 41 goals by the strikers before Christmas. If they keep that tally that is 80 goals, it's unbelievable."
A potential final appearance at Wembley is three games away and for McDonald and the squad, that is the incentive.
"We've just got to take each game as it comes, we've obviously got a big game and then we've got two legs if we can get through tonight so it is still a long way off but it is something to look forward to," he said.
When asked by reporters whether he would prefer a win tonight or three points against Huddersfield Town on Saturday, the striker replied: "Both!"
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