Manchester City need a victory over Newcastle United, but Alan Shearer believes the hosts will have gained confidence after their recent result in the Premier League.
This weekend has seen the return of the FA Cup and Saturday night’s match-up is possibly the hardest one to call.
Alan Shearer predicted Man City to defeat his old team when the sides met in the Premier League last month and he was spot on.
City got the job done thanks to two first half goals scored by Nico O’Reilly, beating Newcastle for a third time this season.
However, with the Magpies recently recording a victory over Manchester United, Shearer is growing more confident ahead of tonight’s cup clash.
Alan Shearer predicts Newcastle to defeat Manchester City
Newcastle’s former striker has claimed that Man City will have wanted them to lose to Manchester United to knock their confidence ahead of tonight’s FA Cup tie.
Of course, this did not happen and Shearer is even more confident because City will take the game to Newcastle, which could make them vulnerable at the back.
He told Metro: “I think Man City would have looked at Newcastle’s game against Man United and wouldn’t have wanted Newcastle to put in the performance like they did, and sort of get their belief and the confidence back. They’d rather Man United beat them and put them under huge pressure.
“Pep knows that coming to St. James’ Park is probably one of their toughest games of the season for Man City. I genuinely think Newcastle have got a chance of going through.
“I think City will give them chances, and with the pace they’ve got up front, and obviously City won’t sit back will play to their strengths. This season when, if there is a time when Newcastle struggle, it’s been when trying to break someone down who’s got a low block.”
Shearer added: “But City won’t do that, so I guess they’ll leave space in behind, and I think Newcastle might get through here. It’ll be tight, it always is but I think Newcastle might have enough to get through.”
Shearer’s claim about Man City’s next match is a stretch
Without a doubt, Newcastle are going to ask questions of Man City, but to claim it is one of the visitors’ toughest games of the season is perhaps a bit far-fetched.
Yes, City lost at St James’ Park in the Premier Legaue, but they won there in the Carabao Cup and have defeated Newcastle three times this season.
One dodgy result against Nottingham Forest should not define Pep Guardiola’s team and they still very much have a chance to get through to the next stage of the FA Cup.
