Manchester City vs Newcastle United - Tips and Preview - The Defending Champions Eager To Ward Off A Mercurial Magpie Challenge

Newcastle United travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on a seemingly flawless Manchester City side in a bid to reach the semifinals of the 2023-24 FA Cup. Pep Guardiola’s men are the current treble holders and are doing their best to defend all three trophies once more this season. 

They were demoted to third in the Premier League, though just one point shy of leaders Arsenal and second-placed Liverpool, by a frustrating draw over the weekend against Klopp’s side. Despite the draw, City are on a 21-match unbeaten run in all competitions and a 19-match unbeaten run at home. Guardiola also does not need to worry about injuries with the squad depth that City possess. Though Jack Grealish has been missing for a long time, the worry for City will be the absence of their goalkeeper, Ederson, who is out with a thigh injury. 

Newcastle United, meanwhile, have a lot to worry about as they are struggling with an injury-struck squad. Kieran Tripper, Harvey Barnes, Nick Pope, Joelinton, Callum Wilson, and Daniel Burn are all important names missing from Eddie Howe’s roster. The Magpies started off the season well, but the mounting injuries mean they will miss out on a Champions League spot this year.

Guardiola’s City seem like they can do no wrong with the strength and depth of his squad. Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne form a beautiful goal-scoring partnership that rips apart opponents’ defences. Meanwhile, Newcastle head into this encounter on the back of a 3-2 defeat away to Chelsea in the EPL. 

Despite the stats, Newcastle’s confidence will be bolstered by their 1-0 victory over City back in September, which knocked them out of the EFL Cup. However, the next time these two sides met, City secured a 3-2 victory at the Magpies’ home. The oddsmakers firmly back Manchester City to secure a comfortable victory, which will take them a step further in a bid to defend their title.