The FA Cup quarter-finals serve up an all-Premier League showdown at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
On Saturday, Manchester City host Newcastle United as both sides aim to book their place in the last four of the competition.
Will Pep Guardiola’s side advance to yet another semi-final? Or could the Magpies upset the odds? Read on to discover what Forebet’s predictive analytics model expects.
Spring in our steps! 🦘 pic.twitter.com/VEh16BNgkM— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 13, 2024
Spring in our steps! 🦘 pic.twitter.com/VEh16BNgkM
Manchester City played out an eventful 1-1 draw with title rivals Liverpool last weekend, leaving them a solitary point behind the Reds and Arsenal in the Premier League table.
That draw extended Man City’s unbeaten run to 21 matches across all competitions, with 18 wins and three draws coming during that period.
When you look at the bigger picture, Guardiola’s men have lost just one of their last 31 games, with a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa coming back in early December.
In the previous round of the FA Cup, City thrashed Luton Town 6-2 at Kenilworth Road, courtesy of five goals from star striker Erling Haaland.
As for Newcastle, they were beaten 3-2 by Chelsea last time out, leaving them 10th in the Premier League table – 23 points behind Man City.
Believe it or not, the Magpies have now lost 12 of their previous 24 matches across all competitions, suffering a defeat in 50% of their clashes since early November.
In the FA Cup, Howe’s side defeated arch-rivals Sunderland 3-0 in their first game before claiming a 2-0 victory over Fulham.
Despite racking up 62% possession and 19 shots, Newcastle were pushed all the way to penalties by Blackburn Rovers in the previous round, but they managed to advance.
Head-to-head: Newcastle have lost each of their last nine matches at the Etihad, with a solitary victory coming in their previous 16 away games against City.
Man City and Newcastle also met in the FA Cup quarter-finals back in 2020, with Guardiola’s side claiming a 2-0 victory on that occasion.
Team news: Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is set for a spell on the sidelines due to injury, while Jack Grealish remains on the treatment table.
Newcastle, on the other hand, are currently without Sandro Tonali, Callum Wilson, Joelinton, Nick Pop, Kieran Trippier, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon.
Given Newcastle’s wretched record at the Etihad Stadium, all the signs point towards a comfortable home victory this weekend.
Forebet’s algorithm predicts that Manchester City will score over 2.5 goals and keep a clean sheet on their way to dispatching Newcastle United.