All four FA Cup quarter finals will be played this weekend and the final match to take place is between Newcastle United and Manchester City on Sunday. The game will be played at St. James' Park and represents the best opportunity for both teams to win a trophy this season.
Newcastle United come into the match in 13th place in the Premier League and are well clear of the relegation zone. Therefore, they have no excuse not to put everything into trying to win the FA Cup. Since the resumption of the Premier League, Newcastle United have picked up 4 points from their two games.
The Magpies recorded a good 3-0 victory at home over Sheffield United but were then held to a 1-1 draw, also at home against relegation threatened Aston Villa. Those results mean Newcastle United are undefeated in their last 5 matches in all competitions. That includes an away victory over West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup, a game which saw Newcastle United race into a 3 goal lead after just 47 minutes.
In addition to the victory over West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United have defeated Rochdale at home and Oxford United away in the FA Cup this season, with the latter coming after extra time in a replay.
Newcastle United are undefeated in 7 of their last 9 home FA Cup ties but have won only one of the last 4 at St. James' Park.
Manchester City travel to Newcastle having suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday night. A defensive error led to the first Chelsea goal and despite a tremendous free-kick equaliser from Kevin De Bruyne, Chelsea scored the winning goal from the penalty spot following a handball on the line by Fernandinho.
That result handed Liverpool the title and Manchester City will now be focusing on the FA Cup and the Champions League in terms of trophies this season. Manchester City have now lost each of their last two away games with a defeat at Manchester United prior to the suspension of the Premier League adding to the loss at Chelsea this week.
In the FA Cup this season, Manchester City have defeated Port Vale and Fulham comfortably at home plus beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 on the road. Trends show Manchester City have won each of their last 9 games in the FA Cup including the final last season against Watford.
Team news and Newcastle United are still without four players due to injury with Ciaran Clark, Jack Colback, Jetro Willems and Sean Longstaff on the treatment table. Isaac Hayden, Matt Ritchie and Matthew Longstaff are all doubts.
Manchester City will be without Fernandinho who is suspended following his red card on Thursday night. Sergio Aguero is out due to a knee injury while John Stones, Phil Foden, Claudio Bravo and Eric Garcia are doubtful.
Manchester City have not had things all their own way in recent games against Newcastle United but will be determined to get the job done in this match. Another FA Cup final is on the horizon and despite the absence of a couple of key players, Manchester City should have enough to win this game by at least a 2 goal margin.