Manchester City will face Newport County today in the FA Cup fifth round. This will be an altogether different experience for the English champions who will travel to the second oldest stadium currently in use in the Football League- Rodney Parade.
A lot has been spoken in terms of the conditions they will face along with the physical and scrappy nature of the play they are likely to encounter. And Pep, being the perfectionist he is, will have prepared for the clash in the best possible manner. But the players will certainly take some time to get used to the unique challenges which the pitch and the nature of the stands will throw up.
There will be a considerable number of changes, but City’s squad depth means we are likely to see another formidable Manchester City XI take the field in a few hours.
MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS
Pep Guardiola has ruled out both Vincent Kompany and Benjamin Mendy for this clash while Claudio Bravo and Eliaquim Mangala are long term absentees.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY LINEUP VS NEWPORT COUNTY (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Ederson might once again be preferred in goal. Muric could have been an option for this game, but the physical threat that Newport are expected to pose in the box might force Pep to go with the safer option.
Danilo should get a start in the right back position with Walker getting a day off. John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi are expected to start in central defence with Aymeric Laporte deserving a rest.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s impressive display against Chelsea might have handed the Ukrainian an opportunity to impress further.
MIDFIELD
Fernandinho has been ever-present in deep midfield for City but today we are likely to see Ilkay Gundogan take up that position. Despite Pep’s warnings about the physicality of the opposition, he would still be setting up his team to keep control of the ball even on today’s pitch, and the German is adept at doing just that.
Phil Foden should be handed a start in midfield which leaves us with one spot. David Silva seems to be the logical option, but it will not be a surprise to see Fabian Delph feature.
ATTACK
Not much experimentation is expected here. Leroy Sane should get a start on the left wing while Riyad Mahrez will line up on the right. Serial hattrick scorer Sergio Aguero will get a rest which will see the eager and hardworking Gabriel Jesus lead the attack.
