Predicted Starting-Line Up: Manchester City vs Exeter City (FA Cup Third Round) | OneFootball

Manchester City return to action on Saturday afternoon looking to get back to winning ways against Exeter City following three consecutive league stalemates.

To earn the right of passage into the fourth round, Pep Guardiola’s side must first defeat League One outfit Exeter City – who come into the game in good form with just one loss from their last five in the division under Gary Caldwell.

Wednesday’s draw with Brighton felt like a story that has become familiar in recent weeks, in a contest littered with missed chances from both sides as the points were eventually shared, handing a huge blow to the Blues’ title hopes.

Late in the first-half, Jeremy Doku’s dancing feet drew a foul from Diego Gomez, and following a VAR review from those at Stockley Park to recommend an on-field assessment from referee Thomas Bramall, the home side were awarded a penalty, which Erling Haaland dispatched.

Manchester City’s lead shortly evaporated, however, as a precise Kaoru Mitoma second-half strike curled into the back of the net, leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma hopeless and restoring parity on the hour mark.

Truthfully City were simply not clinical enough in the final third yet again as the margin for error decreases week by week with Arsenal thriving at the top of the Premier League table.

Now though, it’s all eyes on cup action for Pep Guardiola’s heavily depleted side with aspirations of a fourth successive FA Cup final as their 2025/2026 challenge begins against Exeter City.

Manchester City have somewhat of a personnel crisis at present, as Omar Marmoush, Rayan Ait-Nouri, John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Mateo Kovacic, Savinho and Oscar Bobb are all unavailable for Saturday’s clash.

However, the City ranks have been reinforced as they welcome the arrival of Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, who signed a five-and-a-half-year deal with the Blues after they beat the likes of Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United to his signature.

Taking that context into consideration, here is how we predict Pep Guardiola will line up Manchester City this weekend as they begin this season’s FA Cup endeavours at the Etihad Stadium against Exeter City.

Predicted XI

James Trafford will start between the sticks as the designated cup keeper for Pep Guardiola’s team with the Englishman making a rare start since the arrival of the Italian giant Gianluigi Donnarumma.

At right-back, a man who has struggled for minutes this campaign, Rico Lewis, looks set to be part of the back fourin a game where the hosts are expected to dominate the ball. His ability in possession and the inverted role will prove to be an asset for Guardiola’s men.

Given the centre-back conundrum for the Blues with options very limited, we predict a pairing of Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne to be at the heart of defence following the recall of the latter from his loan at Watford as a result of long-term injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

To complete the backline, Nathan Ake will occupy left-back with Nico O’Reilly having played a staggering amount of minutes of late and, despite only being a substitute midweek, is still likely in need of a well-deserved rest.

Ahead of the defence, Nico will anchor the midfield, as understandably Manchester City staff remain cautious of the fitness of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri’s minutes following his prolonged absence with a variety of issues.

Alongside the Spaniard, Netherlands international Tijjani Reijnders will be in the engine room as his box-crashing ability will prove to be a problem for those of an Exeter persuasion. And given the fact the No.4 has found the net in three of his last four Premier League starts, we believe Pep Guardiola will give the former AC Milan man the nod.

Completing the trio in the middle of the park, captain Bernardo Silva will orchestrate play for the home side with his exceptional skill of dictating tempo, and controlling the game will be of great use.

Beginning the front line, the club’s Player of the Month for December, Rayan Cherki, is predicted to start off the right flank, with the Frenchman’s flair and dynamism a huge threat for any opposition, especially when trying to unlock a low block.

Budding starlet Divine Mukasa will likely lead the line, as the City Football Academy graduate has featured in every Carabao Cup fixture so far this campaign and excelled in the process. His record of consecutive domestic cup starts is likely to remain in tact, especially given the need to rest Erling Haaland and the absence of Omar Marmoush due to the African Cup of Nations.

Operating off the left, Belgian speedster Jeremy Doku – who has recently returned from injury – will be on Pep Guardiola’s team sheet, as his explosiveness gives any full-back a torrid time and will prove essential to breaking down the expected defensive structure of Gary Caldwell’s side.

Starting XI: Trafford; Lewis, Khusanov, Allenye, Ake; Nico, Reijnders, Bernardo (C); Cherki, Mukasa, Doku.

Substitutes: Donnarumma, Nunes, Mfuni, O’Reilly, Rodri, McAidoo, Foden, R. Heskey, Semenyo.