Prediction: Manchester City to win 3-0
Best Odds: 7/1
Premier League rivals Manchester City and Newcastle United will lock horns with each other in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup this weekend. The quarter-final tie between Pep Guardiola’s side and Eddie Howe’s team will be held at the Etihad Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 pm UK time on Saturday.
Manchester City
Manchester City have been hugely successful over the years and are doing strong this season. The Citizens won the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup last season, and Pep Guardiola’s side will be determined to repeat those heroics this time around as well.
City are third in the Premier League table at the moment with 63 points from 28 games. The Citizens are a point behind Arsenal and Liverpool, who are first and second respectively in the standings. They are still the favourites to win the Premier League title this season – their fourth in a row.
Pep Guardiola’s side will head into the FA Cup tie against Newcastle United on the back fo a 1-1 draw with Liverpool away from home at Anfield in the Premier League. It came after a 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.
Team News:
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is likely to deploy a 3-2-4-1 formation against Newcastle United. With Ederson injured, Stefan Ortega will be in goal for the Citizens. Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake will be the three defenders. Rodri and John Stones will be the two holding midfielders. Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Julian Alvares will be the attacking midfielders, Erling Haaland will lead the line for the Citizens.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United are one of the biggest clubs in England and did very well last season, but things have not panned out as they would have wanted this time around. Eddie Howe’s side finished in the top four of the Premier League table last season and ended up in the UEFA Champions League for this campaign.
The Magpies, though, failed to get out of their group in the UEFA Champions League. Newcastle are also underperforming in the Premier League. The Magpies are as low as 10th in the Premier League table at the moment with 40 points from 28 games, as many as 15 points behind Aston Villa in fourth.
Newcastle will head into the FA Cup tie against Manchester City on the back of a 3-2 defeat to Chelsea away from home at Stamford Bridge in London in the Premier League. It came after a 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at St. James’ Park in the league.
Team News:
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is likely to deploy a 4-3-3 formation against Manchester City in the FA Cup. Martin Dubravka will be in goal and will have Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Dan Burn in front of him in defence. Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock will be the three midfielders. Miguel Almiron, Alexander and Anthony Gordon will be the three forwards.
Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester City are lost just 3 matches in the Premier League all season.
- Erling Haaland has scored 29 goals and given 6 assists in 32 competitive matches for Manchester City this season.
- Phil Foden has scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists in 40 competitive matches for Manchester City this season.
- Alexander Isak has scored 16 goals in 29 competitive games for Newcastle United this campaign.
- Newcastle United have conceded 48 goals in 28 Premier League games this campaign.
Conclusion
Manchester City have arguably the best team in England and playing at home against Newcastle United will give them a huge advantage. While anything is possible in a cup tie, given the quality that City have and the form they are in, it is hard to see anything but a win for Pep Guardiola’s side on Saturday.
Prediction: Manchester City to win 3-0
Best Odds: 7/1
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