Newcastle United are not in action this weekend, but that does not mean that Toon fans can relax.
While Newcastle United supporters were hoping to head to Wembley this weekend for the FA Cup semi final, Eddie Howe‘s players are actually preparing for a rare weekend off. That is because they were dumped out of the FA Cup at the quarter final stage by Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side marched on in the competition, and will face Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday in the first of two semi finals to take place in the capital this weekend. The other will see Manchester United take on Championship side Coventry City.
Both games are huge, but it is the Saturday evening fixture involving Man City that Newcastle United fans should be paying close attention to.
Newcastle will hope that Man City win in the FA Cup on Saturday
The only team Toon fans want to see lift the FA Cup is Newcastle United. That is not something the Magpies have done since 1955. The domestic trophy drought is set to go on into 2025, 70 years on from their last FA Cup triumph.
But for 2024, there is one club that Newcastle United could really do with winning the FA Cup, and it is the biggest club left in the competition.
While it would be quite the underdog story for Coventry City to go all the way and win it, Newcastle could be well placed to benefit if Pep Guardiola claims the third FA Cup crown of his career.
It would help Newcastle potentially qualify for Europe
Newcastle’s need for Man City to win the FA Cup has nothing to do with state-owned clubs looking out for each other. Instead, it could play a vital role in the Magpies’ quest to qualify for Europe.
Right now, Eddie Howe’s side are sixth in the Premier League. If the season ended now, it would mean we qualify for next season’s Europa Conference League.
However, sixth place could be good enough to qualify for the Europa League, depending on who wins the FA Cup.
The winner of that competition earns a place in the Europa League, but that place will go to sixth in the Premier League if they have already qualified for the Champions League.
Manchester City are certainly going to do that, with Guardiola’s side now favourites to win another Premier League title.
That is why we need them to beat Chelsea on Saturday and advance to the FA Cup final, before going on to win the whole thing.
If that does happen, the team that finishes sixth will go into the Europa League, and the team that finishes seventh will go in the Europa Conference League.
Man City are the only club that can help Newcastle. Man United, Chelsea or Coventry are not placed to do us any favours, so we need Guardiola and co to be victorious.
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