Man City have put their heated Premier League title fight on hold for the weekend as they face Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
Manc City enjoyed a rare full week’s rest in this game after their highly-anticipated league clash with Liverpool. While the extra time off is undoubtedly beneficial, MAN City will still rue their fitness luck after both goalkeeper Ederson and world-class playmaker De Bruyne were injured in the last game.
Ederson will be out for several weeks with a thigh injury, meaning that Stefan Ortega will not only reprise his role as cup keeper in this match, but also start in other competitions. De Bruyne escaped unscathed but will be out for this match and will be looking to make a comeback in the crucial league game against Arsenal after the international break.
Newcastle United will have no sympathy for City’s fitness concerns – after finishing in the top four last season, the Magpies have been victims of countless injuries this season which have seen them slide down the Premier League standings. In 10th place in the table, the FA Cup is their last chance at redemption, having been kicked out of both European competition and the EFL Cup earlier than expected.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ortega; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bobb, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Almiron
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