Man City lineup vs Newcastle United predicted as sweeping changes made for FA Cup tie

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Manchester City are on the road at Newcastle United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday night

Manchester City are poised to make changes for the FA Cup tie at Newcastle United as Pep Guardiola juggles his squad during a hectic schedule.

The Blues dropped points in the title race in midweek when they were twice pegged back by Nottingham Forest in a 2-2 draw that saw City fall seven points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. Both sides remain in the hunt for four trophies this season and City, who have reached the last three FA Cup finals, will be targeting progress at St James' Park tonight.

It won't be an easy task though, with the Magpies having beaten City in the league fixture in the north east, although the Blues saw off Eddie Howe's men in the Carabao Cup semi-final, winning both legs. Guardiola will likely rotate with a first leg Champions League last 16 clash with Real Madrid on the horizon.

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James Trafford has been the cup goalkeeper and will surely start while Abdukodir Khusanov is poised to come into the defence. He could partner the fit-again John Stones in the middle of the back four. Nathan Ake could be handed a start at left back with Matheus Nunes continuing on the right.

In midfield, logic dictates that Rodri and Bernardo Silva are rested, meaning Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders come in. Phil Foden could be afforded another chance despite an underwhelming display in midweek. Jeremy Doku came off the bench against Forest and can start this one as he steps up his progress following injury.

Savinho could start on the opposite flank but it feels a risk to leave Antoine Semenyo out of the side at the moment. It's a similar call up front with Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush and with the Norwegian looking a little short of his best in recent weeks, the Egyptian could get the nod.

Predicted City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Stones, Ake; Gonzalez, Reijnders, Foden; Doku, Semenyo, Marmoush.