Newcastle United can book another trip to Wembley on Saturday – if they beat the best team in the world.
The Magpies face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter final this weekend, as they look to reach the final four of the competition for the first time since 2005.
It is going to be a big ask, and pundits such as Paul Merson and Chris Sutton are both backing Man City to progress to the FA Cup semi finals over Newcastle.
But Eddie Howe’s side already have a victory over Man City this season, and this is the team we predict they will go with at the Etihad Stadium
Sean Longstaff starts in midfield vs Manchester City
Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff has been struggling as of late, as he continues to play through an injury.
I think this game is a good chance for Lewis Miley to come back into the side, but I would be surprised if Howe feels the same.
In truth, it feels more likely that Miley will be on the bench, while Howe opts to stick with the experienced 26-year-old alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock.
Anthony Gordon on the Newcastle bench
The big decision Howe needs to make involves Anthony Gordon.
The 23-year-old was initially an injury doubt, but already appears to be over the knee injury that forced him off against Chelsea on Monday.
He wants to be involved at the Etihad Stadium, and I think he will be – but only as a substitute to begin with. That would mean Gordon dropping to the bench, with Jacob Murphy taking his place in the starting XI.
Given the scare he suffered on Monday, this might be a good game for Gordon to be kept in reserve for the latter stages of the game when hopefully he can have an impact off the bench.
Predicted XI vs Man City: Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Bruno, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Almiron.
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