Man City vs Salford City predicted lineup: Match preview, predicted line-ups, starting XI, match facts – Whoʼs in & Whoʼs out
In what promises to be a fascinating FA Cup third-round encounter, Manchester City welcomes League Two high-flyers Salford City to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. While the reigning Premier League champions are clear favorites, the underdogs will look to capitalize on their momentum in what could be a thrilling David vs. Goliath showdown.
Interestingly, this clash comes as Manchester City begins to find their form again following a rocky start to the season. A near ten-game winless streak had cast doubts over Pep Guardiola’s side, but consecutive Premier League victories against Leicester (2-0) and West Ham (4-1) suggest the “Citizens” are back on track.
Despite their recent resurgence, the FA Cup offers City an opportunity to add some silverware in a season where the Premier League title race has proven challenging.
Conversely, Salford City is in fine form, riding high in League Two and occupying third place. Their confidence will be sky-high after six consecutive victories, many of which were clean-sheet performances. Managed by Karl Robinson, Salford has already proven their mettle in the FA Cup, securing wins over Shrewsbury (2-1) and Cheltenham (2-0) to earn their spot against Manchester City.
PEP GUARDIOLA ON SALFORD AND INJURIES
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola praised Salford’s recent form. “The last six matches, six clean sheets, six victories—it’s incredible. We respect them a lot. They play with intensity and structure. We’ll take this match very seriously.”
However, City heads into this clash with ongoing injury concerns. Guardiola confirmed that Ruben Dias remains unavailable but is progressing well in training, while Oscar Bobb has returned to partial training after a long injury layoff.
Meanwhile, Ederson is fit to start, but John Stones will sit out this fixture due to lingering fitness issues.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: Ederson
- Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Kian Simpson-Pusey
- Midfielders: Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, Savio
- Forwards: Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland
SALFORD CITY (4-4-2):
- Goalkeeper: Alex Young
- Defenders: Luke Garbutt, Curtis Tilt, Liam Shepherd, Theo Berko
- Midfielders: Tyrese Fornah, Luke Ashley, Ethan Watson, Aji Mnoga
- Forwards: Cole Stockton, Hakeeb Adelakun
WHAT TO EXPECT
Admittedly, the class difference between the two teams is stark. Manchester City’s star-studded lineup, spearheaded by the relentless Erling Haaland, will pose a massive challenge for Salford’s defense.
However, Salford’s current run of six straight wins, coupled with their fearless approach, could make for a more competitive game than many expect.
Encouragingly for City fans, their team has shown signs of rediscovering the dominant style that has defined their recent success. With Guardiola hinting at full commitment to this fixture, Salford’s dreams of a historic upset could face a harsh reality.
PREDICTION
Manchester City is expected to dominate possession and create a plethora of chances. Salford’s defensive resilience might frustrate the hosts in the early stages, but the quality of players like Foden and Silva should ultimately prove decisive.
Final Score Prediction: Manchester City 4-0 Salford City
Bet Suggestion: Total Goals Over 3.5 (Odds: 1.60)
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