The starting lineups are in as Manchester City take on Newcastle | OneFootball

Manchester City and Newcastle United have confirmed their starting lineups ahead of tonight’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at St. James’ Park. Tonight’s match is the fifth meeting between the two sides this season. They have faced twice in the Premier League and across two legs in this season’s Carabao Cup semi-final. City have won three of those matches, and Eddie Howe’s team has won one of those meetings. Tonight’s match promises to be another enthralling encounter. The two teams know each other well and will take the game to their opponent. A cracking FA Cup tie awaits at St. James’ Park.

Manchester City enter tonight’s match with several players potentially unavailable due to injury. Nico O’Reilly’s condition has improved after he missed Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest. Pep Guardiola told the media that O’Reilly was feeling better after the ankle injury he sustained against Leeds. A decision on his availability would be made after the City squad trained yesterday.

Josko Gvardiol remains out as he continues his recovery from a tibial fracture in his right leg. It isn’t expected that the Croatian international will return any time soon. Pep Guardiola also revealed yesterday that Mateo Kovacic is upping his training as he bids to come back from an injury interrupted season. Today’s match has likely come too soon for Kovacic to return. Lastly, it was also revealed by Pep Guardiola that Rico Lewis is dealing with an ankle injury. It seems unlikely based on Pep Guardiola’s assessment that Lewis will feature in tonight’s match.

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola has made ten changes to the starting lineup that drew with Nottingham Forest. In comes James Trafford, Abdukodir Khusanov, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Nico, Nico O’Reilly, Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho, Jeremy Doku and Omar Marmoush. Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo drop to the bench for tonight’s match. Erling Haaland isn’t in the City squad for tonight’s match. It would appear that Haaland is being rested for Manchester City’s upcoming UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Starting lineup: James Trafford, Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Nico, Tijjani Reijnders, Nico O’Reilly, Savinho, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush.

Substitutes: Donnarumma, Dias, Cherki, Guéhi, Rodri, Bernardo, Ait-Nouri, Semenyo, Foden.

Newcastle United