- Date: Saturday March 16 – 17:30 GMT
- Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
- Teams: Manchester City vs Newcastle United
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City host Magpies in sixth round tie.
City will turn their attention to the FA Cup when they host Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side. Last season and in the early part of this season, Pep Guardiola’s side would still have been favourites, however, many would have viewed Newcastle as a dangerous opponent. The Magpies, however, look a shadow of the side who finished fourth last season and stunned PSG at St James’ Park in the Champions League after an injury crisis, fatigue and, at this stage, a lack of confidence have set in. Newcastle have shown glimpses of their potential since the turn of the year, but they will need to be right on top of their game if they are to derail City.
Manchester City
After a titanic struggle against Liverpool on Saturday, which left the Citizens in third place, a point behind Jurgen Klopp’s side and leaders Arsenal. City remain favourites for the title and have progressed to the last eight of the Champions League after comfortably seeing off FC Copenhagen over two legs. Achieving a treble, needless to say, requires a phenomenal amount of consistency. To achieve this back-to-back would be an incredible achievement. Newcastle still represent a danger to Guardiola’s side. The Catalan will be all too aware of the levels they can reach, especially as it was United who ended their interest in the EFL Cup at St James’ Park earlier in the season.
City have suffered a new injury blow as Kevin De Bruyne has picked up a groin problem, which has seen him withdrawn from international duty with Belgium ahead of the international break. Jack Grealish, also suffering from a groin issue, remains unavailable, while goalkeeper Ederson is facing up to four weeks out with a muscle problem.
Stefan Ortega will start in goal and Guardiola could well make other changes as he looks to keep his side fighting on three fronts. Ruben Dias, Rico Lewis, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb are among those who could come into the side.
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Newcastle United
When Nick Pope signalled to the bench towards the end of Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Manchester United at St James’ Park many feared that, should he be missing for a long time it would be a blow. However, once it was confirmed that Pope would miss an estimated four months with a dislocated shoulder, few could have anticipated just how much the England international’s absence would affect Newcastle’s season. The Magpies were already stuttering due to a number of key players being unavailable. However, since Pope’s injury, United have gone from having one of the best defensive records in the country to one of the worst. They are shipping goals with alarming regularity and have slipped down the Premier League table. The quality of Pope’s replacement, Martin Dubravka, is not the issue. The Slovakian is a fine goalkeeper, but rather his style. Unlike Pope he is not proactive in coming to sweep up outside the box, leaving Newcastle’s high line exposed. And while he has other qualities he does not command his box in the same manner as Pope. The last thing you need when you are conceding goals is a trip to Manchester City. However, this is exactly what Newcastle face this weekend as they aim to continue their bid for FA Cup success.
Newcastle’s cup draws this season have been unbelievably tough. PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan represented a brutal group in the Champions League. A home tie with City, followed by away games with Manchester United and Chelsea, where they lost on penalties, followed in the EFL Cup. To date, the FA Cup has been tricky rather than highly difficult with away draws against local rivals Sunderland, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers. However, Man City away was as tough a quarterfinal draw as there was. Howe and his side will be encouraged by their win against City in the EFL Cup and be aspects of their performance against last season’s treble winners in their 3-2 home defeat in the Premier League in January. However, realistically, this would have been a hard game for a Newcastle side firing on all cylinders, let alone the depleted version that is likely to take the field at the Etihad.
Newcastle, are sweating over the fitness of Anthony Gordon (knee) and Dan Burn (knock) who were both forced off with injuries in Monday’s loss at Chelsea. Gordon’s injury does not appear to be as serious as feared, however, the former Everton forward, called into the England squad ahead of the international break, remains a doubt.
Harvey Barnes (hamstring) is unlikely to be available, while Kieran Trippier (calf), Nick Pope (shoulder), Callum Wilson (pectoral), Joelinton (thigh), Sandro Tonali (suspended) and Joe White (cup-tied) are all unavailable.
Prediction
Given the potential of some of their players and Alexander Isak’s form in front of goal, you cannot dismiss Newcastle. However, all signs point to a home win. City are in decent form, arre motivated and are up against a side who have struggled to defend consistently well for almost four months. We think that City will progress and that they will do so within 90 minutes. Home win.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
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