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Manchester City v Plymouth match preview
Out of the Champions League and out of the Premier League title race – can Manchester City keep up their chances of winning a trophy this season in the FA Cup?
Pep Guardiola has won the trophy on two occasions but lost the final last year to rivals Manchester United. City have beaten lower league opposition in Salford and Leyton Orient to reach the fifth round.
Plymouth knocked Liverpool out in the fourth round but will start as massive underdogs again at the Etihad. The Championship side are winless in their last three matches.
The Pilgrims’ best FA Cup run came in 1984 when they reached the semi-finals, only to lose 1-0 to Watford.
Manchester City v Plymouth team news
Guardiola is likely to make changes and rotate his squad. Erling Haaland returned from injury to score the winner against Tottenham in midweek but it would be a surprise to see him start again, while the likes of Jack Grealish, Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and James McAtee will be hoping to play after being on the bench in London.
John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Rodri remain injured and Oscar Bobb is not expected to feature yet either but Claudio Echeverri could feature for the first time since joining the club.
Plymouth could be without Ryan Hardie, who scored the winner against Liverpool, while Muhamed Tijani is out with a hamstring injury.
If Hardie is ruled out then on-loan Burnley forward Michael Obafemi looks set to start.
Manchester City v Plymouth expected lineups
Manchester City: Ortega; Lewis, Khusanov, Reis, O’Reilly; Gonzalez , Gundogan; Foden, McAtee, Doku; Marmoush
Plymouth: Hazard; Talovierov, Katic, Pleguezuelo; Sorinola, Randell, Gyabi, Puchacz; Wright, Al Hajj; Obafemi
The stats
- In the last 10 Manchester City matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In 13 of the last 15 Manchester City home matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In 9 of the last 10 Manchester City matches the sum of goals was over 3.5
- In the last 5 Manchester City home matches the sum of goals was over 3.5
- Manchester City have won 4 of the last 5 home matches while scoring more than 2.5 goals
- In 10 of the last 12 Plymouth away matches in the FA Cup, the sum of goals was under 3.5
- In 4 of the last 5 Plymouth matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In 3 of the last 4 Plymouth away matches the sum of goals was under 2.5
- In 3 of the last 4 Plymouth matches in the FA Cup, the sum of goals was under 2.5
- In 3 of the last 4 Plymouth away matches the sum of goals was under 3.5
How to watch Manchester City v Plymouth – TV and stream
The match is broadcast live in the UK on ITV4 and can be streamed by all on ITVX.
Prediction
Plymouth shocked the world – and Arne Slot – last time out but away from home against a team with the resources of Manchester City it is hard to see lightning striking twice.
Pep will push his side for a win and they’ll deliver this time.
Man City 3-1 Plymouth
