Man City vs Plymouth Preview: FA Cup Fifth Round Showdown | OneFootball

Man City vs Plymouth: FA Cup Fifth Round Preview

Manchester City welcome Plymouth Argyle to the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup fifth round, a fixture that, on paper, appears straightforward for the reigning champions. Yet, this competition thrives on unpredictability, and Argyle have already demonstrated their ability to defy expectations.

Caution Required Against Dangerous Plymouth

City responded to back-to-back defeats against Real Madrid and Liverpool with a much-needed 1-0 victory over Tottenham, thanks to Erling Haaland’s first-half strike. That result steadied their momentum in the Premier League, but Pep Guardiola’s side must now switch focus to the FA Cup, where potential pitfalls remain.

Plymouth, currently battling to avoid relegation from the Championship, have already caused a major upset in the competition. Their stunning triumph over Liverpool in the previous round ensured their passage to this stage, and they arrive at the Etihad with nothing to lose. The underdog tag has served them well so far, and they will look to make life as difficult as possible for a City team expected to dominate.

Key Match Details and How to Watch

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Team News and Expected Lineups

Guardiola has no fresh injury concerns following the midweek win over Spurs, meaning he has a full squad at his disposal. Kevin De Bruyne could be in line for a return to the starting XI, while Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, and Nathan Ake are all options for rotation.

There is also growing anticipation over new signing Claudio Echeverri, but the Argentine may have to wait before making his debut.

For Plymouth, Julio Pleguezuelo is pushing for a return to the lineup after missing out since limping off in the historic victory over Liverpool. Manager Miron Muslic has brought a defensive solidity to the team, which was evident in their disciplined performance at Anfield.

Photo: IMAGO

Prediction: Can Plymouth Keep It Tight?

City have made a habit of sweeping aside lower-league opponents in cup competitions, and this season has been no different, as shown in their comprehensive win over Salford.

However, Muslic’s influence at Plymouth has been clear. Their defensive structure and ability to stay compact frustrated Liverpool, and they will aim to repeat that strategy. Still, the quality of Guardiola’s squad should ensure a routine progression to the quarter-finals, even if the scoreline is not as emphatic as some might expect.

Prediction: Man City 2-0 Plymouth