Liverpool may have clinched the league this time, but all is not lost for Manchester City. Even if we keep aside the big prize of the Champions League, the Citizens sill have the FA Cup in their sights.
Newcastle United, on the other hand, have their future hanging in the balance as the proposed takeover is taking longer than expected, and the Magpies could consider a FA Cup triumph over City as an additional boost for the Saudis to invest more in the club. With that difficult goal, the Tyneside club are set to face Man City this Sunday in their FA Cup clash.
Setup
Steve Bruce should deploy a 5-4-1 setup with Carroll at the top. The three centre-backs and the two wing-backs would be asked to provide the defensive solidity that the side need while playing against the might of City.
City should again line up in a 4-3-3 formation with Rodri at the heart of the midfield. David Silva and De Bruyne should accompany him. We can expect Cancelo to move up and join the side in the attack from the right side.
Team news
Newcastle United
Isaac Hayden and Matt Ritchie are both doubtful for this contest, and their participation will be subject to further assessment. Nabil Bentaleb would be missing in action after picking up two yellow cards in the competition. Further tests have to be done on the Longstaff brothers before deciding on their inclusion for this game.
Newcastle United Predicted Lineup
Darlow, Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez, Rose, Almiron, Lazaro, Shelvey, Saint-Maximin, Carroll
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola would be facing trouble in the defensive department as he would be without the services of Fernandinho, who received a red card in their Premier League clash with Chelsea, with the ban being carried over. Eric Garcia could return to the side after making progress in his recovery, although John Stones would be a doubt. Other than them, Sergio Aguero would probably miss the rest of the season with a problem in his knee, thus paving the way for Jesus to lead the line for the side.
Manchester City Predicted Lineup
Ederson, Cancelo, Otamendi, Laporte, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Rodri, D Silva, Foden, Jesus, Sane
Key Men
Newcastle United
Allan Saint-Maximin would be crucial to Newcastle’s plans, and the French star would have the liberty to move up the left side of the attack. Cancelo is one of the weak links in the City defence, and thus Maximin should look to exploit that. Carroll had made an impact after coming off the bench against Villa, and he would love to start from where he left.
Manchester City
The defensive errors of City cost them their match against Chelsea and Guardiola would need to plug the holes at the back in this encounter. Otamendi and Laporte would be crucial to City’s success. With players such as Foden, Jesus and Silva, unlocking the Magpies defence would be a matter of time, but keeping things tight at the back should be the primary concern.
