🏏 Sat, 7 Mar 2026 20:00 GMT
Newcastle United
vs
Manchester City
4-2-3-1 vs 4-2-3-1
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- One of the standout ties of the FA Cup fourth round. Newcastle and Manchester City clash at St James' Park. With both sides also contesting the upper reaches of the Premier League, it amounts to an effective quarter-final-level showdown.
- A mirror match with both teams adopting a 4-2-3-1. The battle for midfield control is the biggest point, and the double-pivot duel between Newcastle's Tonali and Willock and City's O'Reilly and Nico Gonzalez will dictate the tempo of the match.
- Newcastle's Sandro Tonali is the Italy international playmaker dubbed the 'new Pirlo'. From the base of midfield, his accurate long passes and wide field of vision build the attack. Against City's possession, the key is how well he can win the ball back and turn it into quick counters.
- Omar Marmoush leads the City line. The Egypt international forward, who tore up the Bundesliga at Eintracht Frankfurt and joined in the winter of 2025, combines pace and technique, threatening Newcastle's defence with finishes off the dribble.
- City go with the double pivot of Nico O'Reilly and Nico Gonzalez. With Rodri and Bernardo Silva on a lavish bench, introducing them late in the game could make a major impact. Rodri in particular is the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, and his presence is enormous.
- Newcastle's front line has William Osula as a lone striker, with Harvey Barnes, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga lining up behind him. Woltemade in particular brings aerial strength and hold-up play off his 198cm frame, so watch his battle with City's centre-backs Khusanov and Stones.
- City's two wingers are Jeremy Doku and Savio. Doku's explosive pace and razor-sharp dribbling, and Savio's left-footed cut-ins, make this pair's threat the toughest test for Newcastle's full-backs Trippier and Lewis Hall.
- Newcastle's bench holds Anthony Gordon and Joelinton. On the left, Gordon combines goals and assists as an England international, while Joelinton is a physical monster who successfully converted from forward to midfielder. They raise hopes of changing the flow off the bench.
- City's Phil Foden also starts on the bench. If the 2023-24 PFA Player of the Year is introduced as a substitute, he could do something decisive in spells when fatigue shows. With both teams boasting high-quality substitutes, the work off the bench looks like a factor that could decide the outcome.