Newcastle United will host Manchester City in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, with both teams looking to book a place in the quarter-finals.
Newcastle United are coming into this game vs Manchester City on the back of four wins from their last six matches in all competitions, and they will hope to secure a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.
The Magpies managed to beat Manchester United in their most recent outing, and they will certainly fancy their chances at home against Manchester City. It will be interesting to see if the players can produce a strong performance and get the job done.
On the other hand, Manchester City are coming into this game on the back of five wins and a draw from their last six matches. They will be desperate to bounce back after a draw against Nottingham Forest in their most recent game, and it remains to be seen whether they can book their place in the next round with a win away from home. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
Emil Krafth (knee), Valentino Livramento (thigh), Lewis Miley (knee), and Fabian Schar (ankle) are all ruled out for the home side. Bruno Guimaraes misses out with a thigh injury. Jacob Ramsey is suspended. However, Sandro Tonali and Nick Woltemade should be fit and available to take on Manchester City.
Newcastle United will shape up in a 4-3-1-2 formation vs Manchester City, with Aaron Ramsdale in goal. Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw will form the central defensive partnership.
As for the midfield unit, Joe Willock will start in the middle of the park alongside Sandro Tonali and Joelinton. Joelinton and Willock will look to add creativity and drive to the side, while Tonali looks to provide defensive cover.
Anthony Elanga will start as the attacking midfielder, and he will look to create openings in the final third. Finally, Nick Woltemade will spearhead the Newcastle United attack alongside Anthony Gordon.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Ramsdale; Trippier, Botman, Thiaw, Hall; Joelinton, Tonali, Willock; Elanga; Gordon, Woltemade
Manchester City
Max Alleyne (knock), Mateo Kovacic (ankle), and Josko Gvardiol (calf) are ruled out for the away side. Manchester City will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Newcastle United, with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly will start as the full-backs. They will keep things tight at the back and help out in the final third. Meanwhile, Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi will pair up at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Rodri will start in the defensive midfield role, looking to control the tempo and provide defensive cover, with Tijjani Reijnders adding drive and creativity alongside him.
Bernardo Silva will add creativity from the attacking midfield role. Phil Foden and Antoine Semenyo will add flair and goals from the flanks, with Erling Haaland leading the line for Manchester City vs Newcastle United this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rodri, Reijnders; Foden, Silva, Semenyo; Haaland
Key Stats
- Manchester City have scored at least two goals in their last three matches against Newcastle United in all competitions.
- Manchester City have four wins from their last six matches against Newcastle United. 18 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
- Newcastle United have four wins from their last six matches in all competitions.
- Manchester City have five wins from their last six matches in all competitions.
- Harvey Barnes has been involved in five goals in seven home FA Cup starts (4 goals, 1 assist), while he leads all Newcastle players in this season’s competition for both shots (8) and chances created (4).
Player to Watch
Antoine Semenyo
The Ghanaian international has been excellent since joining Manchester City, and he is our key player to watch. He will look to create opportunities in the final third and find the back of the net. Newcastle United have looked quite vulnerable at the back this season, and they have conceded in each of the last six matches in all competitions.
Semenyo is likely to have the opportunity to influence the game in the final third with his creativity and finishing. Manchester City will need him to step up and produce a strong performance here.
Prediction
Newcastle Uinted 1-2 Manchester City
Both teams will be fighting for a victory here, and this is likely to be an entertaining clash. Neither team is defensive in their approach, and this could be an open game with plenty of opportunities. The two sides will look to outscore each other, and they are likely to score.
However, Manchester City have more quality and depth in the attacking unit. They should be able to get the job done. A narrow win for the away side is on the cards this week. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for Pep Guardiola and his charges.
