Newcastle vs Manchester City – News and Probable Lineups

On Saturday evening, Newcastle United will face Manchester City for the fifth time this season across all competitions, with this encounter taking place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The Magpies have had a varied record against the Citizens at St James’ Park, managing a 2-1 victory in the Premier League back in November, but they were defeated 2-0 during the first leg of an EFL Cup semi-final matchup two months later.

Match overview

Newcastle put an end to a three-match losing streak at home in the Premier League with a crucial 2-1 win over Michael Carrick’s Manchester United on Wednesday night, even though they had to endure the entire second half with 10 men.

Jacob Ramsey received a controversial red card before Anthony Gordon’s penalty opener was controversially annulled by Casemiro deep into stoppage time of the first half. Nevertheless, substitute Will Osula managed to score his first goal since September in the 90th minute, securing three crucial points for the Magpies.

Currently sitting in 12th place in the table and nine points behind the top six with nine league matches remaining, Eddie Howe’s squad has significant work ahead to secure European football for the next season while also looking to advance in both the Champions League and FA Cup.

The EFL Cup winners from last season were unable to defend their title earlier this year, suffering a 5-1 aggregate loss to Manchester City in the semi-finals, prior to a 2-1 defeat at the Etihad in their latest Premier League encounter with the Citizens a fortnight ago.

Manchester City could become just the third team to oust Newcastle from both the EFL Cup and FA Cup within the same season, following Wimbledon in 1987-88 and Arsenal in 2007-08. However, the Magpies have progressed from nine of their last ten fifth-round FA Cup ties, including two victories against the Citizens in 1994-95 and 2001-02.

In contrast to Newcastle, Manchester City dropped points in the Premier League on Wednesday, having to settle for a 2-2 draw at home against Nottingham Forest, who saw Elliot Anderson, linked with City, score a 76th-minute equaliser.

Pep Guardiola’s title challengers now find themselves seven points behind league leaders Arsenal. Although the Citizens do have a game in hand, this gameweek could represent a pivotal moment as momentum and belief may shift back in favour of Mikel Arteta’s side. However, further developments are certainly possible.

As they prepare for a challenging Champions League last-16 match against Real Madrid next week, Manchester City will get ready for their 11th FA Cup contest against Newcastle. The Citizens have progressed from the last two occasions in the quarter-finals in 2019-20 and 2023-24, having only advanced from two of their initial eight matchups with the Magpies.

Manchester City has a strong FA Cup history, claiming victory in 18 of their last 20 matches in the tournament over the past four seasons, with their only defeats coming in the finals against Manchester United and Crystal Palace in 2024 and 2025 respectively. In the third, fourth, and fifth rounds, Guardiola’s team has won their last 23 FA Cup matches by an impressive aggregate score of 89-11 since they lost 1-0 to Wigan in the fifth round of 2017-18.

While Newcastle defeated fellow Premier League teams Bournemouth and Aston Villa to reach this stage of the FA Cup, Manchester City has profited from three own goals in their victories over lower-league opponents Exeter City (10-1) and Salford City (2-0), which ties a record for a Premier League team in a single season, shared with West Ham in 2005-06 and Manchester City themselves in 2018-19.

Team News

Newcastle will be without the suspended Ramsey this weekend, while Bruno Guimaraes (hamstring), Fabian Schar (ankle), Emil Krafth (knee), and Lewis Miley (thigh) will all continue to miss out due to injuries. It may also be too soon for Tino Livramento (hamstring) to return.

Sandro Tonali has completed 90 minutes in each of the last six fixtures, and his fitness will be evaluated, while Nick Woltemade will aim to make a return to the matchday squad after missing the win over Manchester United through illness.

Harvey Barnes has participated in five goals across seven FA Cup starts at home (four goals, one assist) and is in contention to start again in the attacking trio alongside Anthony Gordon, whereas Osula, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga, and Jacob Murphy will all aspire to secure a position in the first XI.

For Manchester City, Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture) and Mateo Kovacic (ankle/heel) remain unavailable due to injury, while Nico O’Reilly missed the draw with Nottingham Forest after sustaining an ankle knock during the win against Leeds last weekend and is doubtful for the match against the Magpies.

Considering Manchester City’s upcoming clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League next week, Guardiola may consider rotating a few positions this weekend, with James Trafford, Abdukodir Khusanov, John Stones, and Rico Lewis among those likely to be recalled.

Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, and Omar Marmoush are also hoping for a spot in the starting XI, as Guardiola weighs the decision of maintaining the likes of form players Antoine Semenyo and Erling Haaland in the lineup, the latter of whom played the entire 90 minutes midweek after recovering from a “minor injury.”

Newcastle United probable starting XI:

Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Willock, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes

Manchester City probable starting XI:

Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Lewis, Gonzalez; Bernardo, Cherki; Semenyo, Marmoush

Both sides are confident in their ability to deliver the necessary performance to secure a place in the quarter-finals this weekend, although much will hinge on whether Howe and Guardiola choose to field strong lineups or opt to rest key players with other competitions in mind.

Nevertheless, an exciting encounter between two determined teams is anticipated, and Manchester City may have just enough to edge past Newcastle, albeit by a narrow margin, for the fourth time in 2026.