Newcastle United vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

In partnership with

The Football Faithful

·7 March 2026

Newcastle United vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

St James’ Park hosts a heavyweight FA Cup showdown tonight as Newcastle United and Manchester City meet for the fifth time this season, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.

Newcastle enter this tie following a heroic midweek performance, where a 90th-minute winner from William Osula secured a famous 2–1 victory over Manchester United despite the Magpies playing the entire second half with 10 men. That win, which followed a controversial red card for Jacob Ramsey, was a vital response to a difficult run of domestic form and has reignited belief on Tyneside ahead of a brutal fixture schedule.

OneFootball Videos

While the Magpies triumphed in the first meeting between these sides back in November, they have struggled against Pep Guardiola’s men since the turn of the year, suffering a semi-final exit in the Carabao Cup and a recent league defeat at the Etihad.

Manchester City, meanwhile, arrive in the North East seeking a response after a frustrating 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. That result, where City twice surrendered leads, left the title-chasers seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal, making the FA Cup an even more critical target for silverware this term.

City have been nearly perfect in the early rounds of the competition in recent years, amassing an incredible 23-match winning streak in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds by an aggregate score of 89–11. With a Champions League trip to Real Madrid looming next week, Guardiola may look to balance his squad while maintaining City’s formidable FA Cup momentum.

Newcastle United vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

Date: Saturday, 7 March 2026
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Venue: St. James’ Park, Newcastle
Referee: Sam Barrott
VAR: John Brooks
Last Meeting: Manchester City 2–1 Newcastle (21 Feb 2026, Premier League)

Team News

Newcastle United

The Magpies will be without the suspended Jacob Ramsey following his midweek red card. Bruno Guimarães (hamstring), Fabian Schär (ankle), Emil Krafth (knee), and Lewis Miley (thigh) all remain sidelined. Tino Livramento is also unlikely to feature as he continues his recovery.

However, Sandro Tonali is available, and Nick Woltemade could return to the squad after missing the midweek win due to illness. Harvey Barnes, who has five goal involvements in seven home FA Cup starts, is expected to feature prominently.

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola remains without Joško Gvardiol (tibial fracture) and Mateo Kovačić (ankle/heel). Nico O’Reilly is a minor doubt with an ankle knock. With European duties ahead, City may rotate, with James Trafford, John Stones, and Rico Lewis all candidates for a recall. Erling Haaland is fit to continue after completing 90 minutes in midweek following a minor injury.

Form

Newcastle United

The Magpies have progressed from nine of their last 10 FA Cup fifth-round ties, including two previous victories over Manchester City. Their recent 2–1 win over Manchester United snapped a three-match losing streak at St James’ Park. Notably, Harvey Barnes leads all Newcastle players in this season’s competition for both shots (8) and chances created (4).

Manchester City

City have won 18 of their last 20 FA Cup matches over the past four seasons, with their only losses coming in the 2024 and 2025 finals. Notably, they have benefited from three own goals in this season’s competition, matching a Premier League record for a single campaign. Guardiola’s side has been dominant in knockout football, seeking to become just the third team to eliminate Newcastle from both domestic cups in the same season.