Manchester City begins its FA Cup campaign on Saturday when it hosts Salford City, who plays in League Two, in the third round.
The Citizens have endured several months of mediocrity and underperformance, but have bounced back with back-to-back wins over Leicester City and West Ham United in the Premier League. Premier League. With matches against Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal over the next month, Saturday could provide Pep Guardiola with the opportunity to rest a number of key players.
Salford, owned by a group of exes Manchester United The players, will be aiming to pull off a huge upset over last season's FA Cup finalists. Karl Robinson's side have won their last six games without conceding a goal and will be brimming with confidence heading to the Etihad Stadium.
here 90 minutes Guide to Man City Against Salford.
Manchester City vs Salford H2H score
This is the first competitive match between Manchester City and Salford.
Current form (all competitions)
|
Man City |
Salford |
|---|---|
|
Man City 4-1 West Ham – 04/01/25 |
MK Dons 0-1 Salford – 04/01/25 |
|
Leicester 0-2 Man City – 12/29/24 |
Harrogate 0-2 Salford – 01/01/25 |
|
Man City 1-1 Everton – 12/26/24 |
Salford 1-0 Morecambe – 29/12/24 |
|
Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City – 12/21/24 |
Salford 3-0 Barrow – 26/12/24 |
|
Man City 1-2 Manchester United – 12/15/24 |
Accrington 0-2 Salford – 21/12/24 |
|
nation |
TV Channel/Live Broadcast |
|---|---|
|
UK |
BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sports website |
|
US |
ESPN+, the ESPN app |
|
Canada |
Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet Now Plus |
Manchester City are likely to be without a host of key players for the visit of Salford. John Stones and Ruben Dias are making progress in their recovery from injury but remain out, while Ederson is unlikely to feature despite their recent return to training.
Oscar Pope is close to returning but is still a long way off after suffering a broken leg, while Rodri is certain to miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Youngsters like Nico O'Reilly, Jahmai Simpson Posey and James McAtee could be given invaluable opportunities.
The expected lineup for Man City against Salford (3-2-4-1): Ortega; Walker, Simpson Posey, Guardiol; O'Reilly, Gundogan; Doku, McAtee, Nunes, Grealish; Haaland.
Salford have risen up the League Two table in recent weeks and now sit third in their bid for automatic promotion to the third tier. Although they have struggled to find success in the league, they are still likely to field their strongest XI at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City supporters may recognize some faces in Salford's squad on Saturday. former Liverpool Academy product Ben Woodburn is doubtful due to injury, while former Everton defender Luke Garbutt will line up in defence. 35-year-old Wales international James Chester played briefly for Manchester United as a youth before playing for Hull City and Aston Villa.
Salford expected lineup against Manchester City (3-5-2): young man; Edwards, Negro, Perco; Taylor, Forna, Ashley, Lund, Garbutt; Kwasi, Stockton.
Manchester City have an excellent opportunity to not only advance to the fourth round, but to secure a third successive win while resting key players. Salford should not be underestimated, but Guardiola's side should secure an impressive win on paper.
Manchester City's defensive woes provide Robinson's side with a goal-scoring opportunity at the Etihad Stadium, but that will likely be little more than a consolation as the hosts seek safe passage to the next round.
