Newport County vs Manchester City, FA Cup Round 5: Team News, Preview and Prediction

Competition/Round: 2018/19 FA Cup – Round 5

Date/Time: Newport County vs Manchester City – Saturday, 16 February 2019, 17:30 GMT( UK); 12:30 EST, 09:30 PST (USA)

Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales, United Kingdom

Match Officials:

Referee: Andre Marriner

Assistants: Simon Long, Sian Massey-Ellis

Fourth Official: Lee Probert

TV Info: BT Sport 2 (UK)

Live Stream: BT Sport 4K UHD (UK); ESPN+ (USA)

Radio: BBC Radio Manchester (UK)

Preview:

Following a series of exciting fixtures in the FA Cup’s Fourth Round, the FA Cup is back underway. League Two side Newport County will host English Premier League team Manchester City in the FA Cup’s Fifth Round on Saturday.

Newport County have impressed throughout their 2018/19 FA Cup campaign. Having started in the competition’s First Round, the Exiles overcame their opponents and find themselves in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup. Their spectacular run included a victory over Leicester City (Third Round) and Middleborough (Fourth Round), and Newport will be filled with confidence heading into this match. The Exiles are very proud of their accomplishments and will look to extend their impressive record on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are running rampant in the league. A few weeks ago, City were shocked at Newcastle and it was believed the EPL title race was over. A recent turn of events, however, has seen the Blues reclaim the top spot in the EPL. Moreover, City will play in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday, 20 February and the EFL “Carabao” Cup Final on Sunday, 24 February. In other words, the Blues have a very hectic but entertaining schedule ahead of them, and their performances in these matches will define their 2018/19 season.

Team News:

Newport County have a fully fit squad for this match.

Manchester City are without long term absentees Claudio Bravo, Benjamin Mendy and Vincent Kompany.

Possible Lineups:

Newport County

Formation: 3-5-2

Day; Demetriou, Poole, O’Brien; Willmott, Bakinson, Bennett, Butler, Kennedy; Amond, Matt

Manager: Mike Flynn

Manchester City

Formation: 4-3-3

Muric; Garcia, Sandler, Otamendi, Zinchenko; Delph, D. Silva, Foden; Mahrez, Jesus, Sané

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Prediction:

On paper, this fixture is a large mismatch. Newport County currently sit fifteenth in League Two whilst Manchester City are first in the EPL.

Yet the FA Cup does not concern itself with league standings. For example, City were eliminated at this stage of the competition last season by League One’s Wigan Athletic. Wigan also infamously eliminated City from FA Cup contention in three of the last five seasons.

With this in mind, Newport County will try to call upon these omens to see if they can spoil the fun. After all, the Exiles already eliminated Leicester City and Middleborough. Most importantly, Newport know they have nothing to lose, and this should concern the Blues.

Manchester City, understandably, are heavy favourites to win this match. They will need to maintain their composure, however, if they are to advance to the FA Cup Quarterfinals. Most importantly, they cannot underestimate their opponents. Otherwise, they will be dumped out of the competition.

Therefore, it is predicted the Exiles will look to frustrate the Blues. Whilst the match may end goalless at halftime, City will eventually break through Newport’s stubborn defence and will advance to the FA Cup Quarterfinals.

Newport County 1-2 Manchester City