Newcastle United are just 90 minutes away from their first FA Cup semi-final in almost two decades, however, the cup draw gods have once again not been kind to them as they face treble-winners Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Magpies haven’t won a game at the stadium in almost a decade and have lost on every visit since Pep Guardiola took charge of the Citizens. However, whilst they are still in the competition they will retain hope of progressing and can take heart from their win over City in the Carabao Cup back in September.
Eddie Howe will also be buoyed by the potential availability of Anthony Gordon after fears the former Everton man had picked up a knee injury that would keep him out of the clash with Guardiola’s side. However, they will certainly be without Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier - although there is hope they could return to action in the near future.
Here, we take a look at the starting XI that Howe could name for the clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium:
Eddie Howe will also be buoyed by the potential availability of Anthony Gordon after fears the former Everton man had picked up a knee injury that would keep him out of the clash with Guardiola’s side. However, they will certainly be without Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier - although there is hope they could return to action in the near future.
![Keeps his place in the side with Newcastle switching to a back five.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/26/12/11/GettyImages-1860466987.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. Sven Botman
Keeps his place in the side with Newcastle switching to a back five. | Getty Images
![Burn is a trusted member of Howe’s defence and will need to be on top form at the Etihad Stadium.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/14/15/00/GettyImages-2076765627.jpg?trim=0,57,0,56&width=800)
6. Dan Burn
Burn is a trusted member of Howe’s defence and will need to be on top form at the Etihad Stadium. | Getty Images
![Guimaraes was just one of a number of players who underperformed in the capital and the Brazilian, who has reportedly attracted attention from Manchester City as of late, will be keen to improve from his previous outing.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/11/22/26/GettyImages-2053714258.jpg?trim=0,55,0,58&width=800)
7. Bruno Guimaraes
Guimaraes was just one of a number of players who underperformed in the capital and the Brazilian, who has reportedly attracted attention from Manchester City as of late, will be keen to improve from his previous outing. | Getty Images
![Keeps his place in the side despite nursing a foot injury.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/15/15/29/GettyImages-2053744495.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. Sean Longstaff
Keeps his place in the side despite nursing a foot injury. | Getty Images