Newcastle–Manchester City

Eight games left in this year's FA Cup. 16 teams are fighting for their continued existence, and this venerable British cup is standing strong on the ball island. We got some big favorites this draw, but not all of them ended up pulling easier opposition out of the hat. Newcastle takes on Manchester City, and the two heavyweights really have something to grind on. Neither is in their best form, but at the same time they have both recorded some nice victories lately. It's hard to say who will pull the longest straw this time, but we have made some thoughts, so stay tuned!

Newcastle – Neither fowl nor fish

A team like Newcastle is really committed to delivering good results. But things are fluctuating wildly for the team from the north of the country. Most recently, they managed to get a terribly unnecessary red card at home against Manchester United, but still won the match in the end. The card was embarrassing, but the three points were anything but. Much needed for a team that just the weekend before conceded three on their own turf against Everton, and ruined an opportunity to climb the table. It has probably been lively to be a Newcastle fan lately. The matches are overflowing with goals, and everything seems to be a chance, in the right and wrong way. Over the past few weeks, they have lost to Manchester City twice, conceded four against Liverpool, three against Everton and three in the face on their own turf against Brentford. In short, it doesn't hold up. Up front, they deliver good numbers, but what good is that when the team is not cohesive.

Important Brune Guimaraes is still out, and this is probably also a lot of the reason why it doesn't quite fit together. The Brazilian is vital to the midfield constellation, and together with Tonali (also uncertain about this one) he is the glue in the middle. The question is whether Newcastle will not once again have to see foot-stepping City players storming towards the goal, while they persistently try to keep up. Offensively, much will again fall on Gordon. A very good player, but unfortunately for Newcastle a little too much alone with the tasks at times.

Manchester City – Unusually inaccurate at this stage of the season

Because that's when City usually are at their best. The points come, the performances hold up, and they shake off both Liverpool and Arsenal. But what happened at home against Nottingham? Very untypical for the usual victors from Manchester, and with that they come a little bit halfway when it comes to Arsenal and the league title.

A small concern, or perhaps quite a big one at this point, must be Haaland's goal form. He is out of it, and seems to lack both the stride and the nose for goal. If it weren't for Semenyo over the last few rounds, this could have looked much worse. The Norwegian needs to find himself again before the season ebbs into nothing.

For this match, it is expected that Pep will shake up the selection a bit, and land on a different attacking line. Because there is so much coverage in the yard. Both Cherki, Marmoush and Foden are probably intended for a starting place, and perhaps it would suit Erling well to be able to contribute from the bench in this one. If he comes in against a slightly tired Newcastle leg after the hour mark somewhere, there may still be goals. City has a lot to play for, and a lot to play for. We probably have to go all the way back to the match against Bodø/Glimt to find the last loss, and then it may be that you get away with a little more than you used to. Pep loves to win, and then you won't say no to a new trophy in the legendary FA Cup.

Conclusion – Two teams that don't need to hold back

The cup is not life and death. It is an opportunity for silverware, but the season does not stand and fall on this. The home team can let loose, not that they have any problem with that, and bet that Gordon, Barnes and Murphy manage to make a name for themselves for net recognition. The midfield is the point of contact now, along with a generous defense, and then it may not be a good fit that Pep may possibly field some aces at the top who want to claim more playing time in the future. And to emphasize it, City will not necessarily change worse if they line up as assumed a little further up in the text here.

Why think too complicated? This is again purposeful, because that's how it is when these meet, and that's how it is no matter who Newcastle meets on the day. The guests are favorites to advance, and you could well consider playing for the away team as an approach as well. It will be entertaining anyway, at least for the neutrals, then you'll see if you have 22 players on the field when the referee blows the whistle. At that point, we feel confident that both three and four balls have found their way into the net.

England at 21:00: Newcastle - Manchester City: Both teams score + Over 2.5 goals in total (1.82)

Alternative game

England at 21:00: Newcastle - Manchester City: Over 1.5 goals to Manchester City (1.77)