Pundits Chris Sutton and Paul Merson predict Manchester City will easily overcome Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Pep Guardiola’s side has won three of their past five league games, although they were held to a 1-1 tie with Liverpool the last time around. The loss at Anfield prevented City from moving to the top of the Premier League table.
With City chasing trophy glory on all fronts, Guardiola is anticipated to select his strongest squad. After won the competition last year during their treble campaign, City are still favourites to repeat the feat.
Meanwhile, the Magpies’ lineup is weakened, with important players Kieran Trippier, Joelinton, Callum Wilson, Nick Pope, Harvey Barnes, and Sandro Tonali all ruled out for the match. Anthony Gordon’s fitness is also called into question after being pulled off with a knee injury in Monday night’s loss to Chelsea.
Ahead of the encounter, MEN Sport looks at what Sutton and Merson have said.
Chris Sutton
Sutton told BBC Sport: “Liverpool gave Manchester City a bit of a going over in the second half at Anfield last weekend, but I don’t see Newcastle doing the same at the Etihad.”
“Pep Guardiola always performs well in the FA Cup, and even with Kevin de Bruyne out injured, City will be difficult to stop. Erling Haaland, who scored five against Luton in the previous round, is expected to score again.
“I believe City will win the FA Cup again this year. “They won’t do another Treble, though.”
Sutton predicts Manchester City to win 3-1 vs Newcastle.
Paul Merson
Merson told SportsKeeda, “I can’t see anything but a Manchester City victory.” I was at Stamford Bridge the other night; Anthony Gordon was injured, and Newcastle conceded too many goals.
“There is something missing at Newcastle right now, but I can’t put my finger on it. They suddenly become incredibly open. They were once fantastic to watch and had a tight backline.
“The goals they conceded against Chelsea were really poor; they had to score two worldies to make the scoreline look more respectable.” I like Eddie Howe, and I believe they’ve been unlucky with injuries this season, but a few other clubs have also been plagued by injuries.
“They can’t keep making excuses; the other day against Chelsea, they had a decent enough group to compete with Chelsea. Newcastle can’t really go out and spend money right now because of FFP limitations, thus I doubt they’ll cancel Howe’s contract to start a new project.
“I feel a little terrible for them; they haven’t won a trophy in god knows how long, and this is a rotten draw for them, to be honest. Kevin De Bruyne is Manchester City’s best player, therefore he’ll be hurt if he’s subbed off early in perhaps the biggest game of the season.
“I don’t mind his reaction, and I believe Pep Guardiola recognized that. He has been connected with a move to Saudi Arabia, and to be honest, I would be devastated if he moved there. I understand that if someone like Mohamed Salah moved to Saudi Arabia, it would be a big coup for the Saudi Pro League, given his stature in the Arab world. But if I were De Bruyne, I doubt I’d be convinced by a lucrative move to the Middle East.
Merson predicts Manchester City to win 3-0 over Newcastle.
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