Newcastle United will aim to progress in another cup competition when they take on League One outfit Birmingham City on Saturday.
Birmingham City experienced a difficult relegation last season when they finished only a point behind Plymouth Argyle. The League One club had chosen to take an immediate route back to the Championship by spending heavily on quality transfer targets, which has so far helped their cause in the third division.
With 63 points in 27 games, Birmingham City are only four points ahead of Wycombe Wanderers but are now one of the favourites to regain promotion to the Championship. However, manager Chris Davies will also look at a deep cup run, which has so far seen them beat Lincoln City to come to this stage, as they take on Premier League heavyweights Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe would ideally like a dream scenario for Newcastle United fans, as he will want to go deep in another cup competition. The Magpies have been without a major trophy for many decades now, and the closest they came to was against Manchester United in the League Cup final two years ago.
Howe will get another shot at the League Cup after his side beat Arsenal in a two-legged semi-final and reached the grand stage of a Wembley final again. The Magpies will now face Liverpool in the finale, as the Merseysiders managed to overcome their first-leg deficit against Tottenham to overpower the North Londoners at Anfield on Thursday.
Howe will be more than confident of making it to the next round of the FA Cup and Newcastle United will be the overwhelming favourites to beat Birmingham City. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the upcoming FA Cup clash between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Birmingham City
Chris Davies has a full-fit squad ahead of this crucial FA Cup tie against Newcastle United, as Birmingham City are expected to keep a similar lineup to their game against Rotherham United, played earlier this month.
Ben Davies and Christoph Klarer are expected to feature at the heart of the defence, with Ethan Laird and Alex Cochrane in the full-back roles. Davies will put forward a 4-4-2 shape, with Tomoki Iwata and Marc Leonard featuring in the central midfield spots.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Keshi Anderson will provide the width in this setup. Lyndon Dykes will lead the line alongside League One record transfer Jay Stansfield.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Allsop; Laird, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Gardner-Hickman, Iwata, Leonard, Anderson; Dykes, Stansfield
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe might have a squad similar to the one in the midweek clash with Arsenal. Harvey Barnes continues to stay out with a muscle problem, while key midfielder Joelinton has joined long-term absentee Jamaal Lascelles with a knee problem on the sidelines.
This could be a game for Howe to rest some of his key starters like Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, as he could potentially name a lineup with many fringe players in it. For instance, Callum Wilson has been itching to play, and he could lead the line, while Lewis Miley and Joe Willock could get a run out in the lineup.
Sean Longstaff could also feature in the midfield, while main full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall could be rested in favour of Kieran Trippier and Matt Targett. Nick Pope was on the bench on Wednesday, and Howe might feel this could be the perfect game for the keeper to come back onto the pitch.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett; Willock, Miley, Longstaff; Murphy, Wilson, Gordon
Key Stats
- Birmingham City have drawn seven of their last eight home matches against Newcastle United in all competitions.
- Birmingham City are unbeaten in 18 games across all competitions.
- Newcastle United have won 11 of their last 13 games in all competitions.
- Newcastle United have picked 21 of their 41 points this season away from home.
- Newcastle United have progressed from two of their three FA Cup ties against Birmingham City, although all three have required a replay, most recently in the 2017 third round (1-1 away, 3-1 at home).
Player to Watch
Callum Wilson
Having missed most of the season with another injury, this could be a last-chance saloon for the experienced striker to make a mark on Newcastle United’s season. Wilson will have to show Eddie Howe that he can be trusted to deputise for Alexander Isak with expertise, as the Swede has been somewhat overused in the absence of the Englishman.
However, these games, like the ones against Birmingham City, are a good opportunity to build momentum for players like Wilson. The striker will be ready to go, put on a good showing on the pitch, and take them into the next round of the competition.
Prediction
Birmingham City 0-3 Newcastle United
Birmingham City might be the main club to beat in League One, but they are nowhere near the quality a Premier League side like Newcastle United possess. The Blues are likely to gain momentum in phases, but overall, the Magpies are in this clash to take a win in a big way.
Howe will want some continuity in their form, especially with his defence, who performed admirably in the game against Arsenal. The Magpies are expected to keep a clean sheet, add to the goals on the other end, and move into the next round.
