Earlier conflicts in the West Midlands, but let’s remain optimistic as Manchester City’s double-treble seekers face off against a Newcastle team struggling with inconsistent recent results and a historically dismal FA Cup track record. This only marks the Toon’s third appearance in the FA Cup quarter-finals in the last 19 years, with various teams such as Cambridge, Sheffield Wednesday, Arsenal, and City eliminating them in recent years. Long-time followers may also recall their lackluster performances in the 1998 and 1999 finals (not to mention 1974), and the fact that they have not claimed the cup since 1955. So, no pressure, gentlemen.
However, this is the most significant game of the season for Newcastle and both the team and their supporters should be fully prepared for it. “We will give it our all,” declared Eddie Howe during his press conference yesterday, despite facing setbacks due to injuries. One of their newer players, Anthony Gordon, has received a call-up to the England team but is uncertain for today’s match. Additionally, Howe is feeling the weight of expectations as his team struggles to reclaim the same level of energy and character they displayed last season.
City, for their part, will be without Kevin de Bruyne while Ederson is ruled out after injuring himself amid the bedlam of last Sunday’s rollicking draw at Liverpool (though Stefan Ortega is their go-to man for Cup games anyway, such are their luxuries of choice). And City haven’t lost an FA Cup tie away from Wembley for six years, when they lost at Wigan’s DW Stadium.
While Pep Guardiola’s team is the clear favorite, the Cup is unpredictable and we have already witnessed some unexpected outcomes this season. Don’t miss out.
Kick-off 5.30pm GMT.
Source: theguardian.com
