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Drawing Manchester City in the FA Cup is not the end of the world

By Durim Halimi

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: A young Newcastle fan celebrates victory with a homemade tin foil FA cup after the FA Cup Fifth Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United at The Hawthorns on March 03, 2020 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: A young Newcastle fan celebrates victory with a homemade tin foil FA cup after the FA Cup Fifth Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United at The Hawthorns on March 03, 2020 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United will play Manchester City in the quarter final of the FA Cup. Will it be a difficult game? Yes, but there is no need to panic.

As many of you know by now, Newcastle United will face Manchester City in the next round of the FA Cup. The game is expected to be played on March 21st, but the date and time have not been officially confirmed by the Football Association. Newcastle United were immediately labeled as major underdogs once the defending Premier League and FA Cup champions were drawn against them, but who cares.

The Magpies have been playing as the underdogs in most games this season, so it is not something new for the players and coaching staff. This next statement might sound crazy to some of you, but this draw actually is not the worst possible matchup for the Magpies.

On paper, Manchester City is the most dangerous opponent Newcastle United could have faced, but there are a few reasons why I say there is no need for the Magpies to panic. Firstly, the game will be played under the lights of St. James’ Park. Newcastle United have one of the best home records in England this season, at least in terms of avoiding defeats, and the supporters will be buzzing to see their team compete in the quarter final for the first time since 2006.

It is important not to forget that these teams drew 2-2 at St. James’ Park earlier this season, so anything is possible. Secondly, I am expecting Pep Guardiola to play a strong lineup, but not his best possible lineup. Why? Leading up to the game against the Magpies, the defending champions will play Manchester United, Arsenal, an in-form Burnley side and Real Madrid, which will take place just four days before this FA Cup clash.

After the game against Newcastle United, Manchester City will go up against Chelsea (currently postponed) and Liverpool. Guardiola will want to defend the FA Cup trophy as best as he can, but a mix of fatigue and saving some key players for major top flight battles could impact how Manchester City play against Newcastle United.

Finally, the unique narrative surrounding Newcastle United is that they wake up against elite teams. The Magpies have earned impressive results this season against teams like Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Wolves. In the eyes of Manchester City and their supporters, the FA Cup draw was “kind” to them, but undermining Newcastle United at St. James’ Park would be a mistake.

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Overall, Manchester City are the favorites to win the entire competition and defeating the defending champions will require maximum collective effort from Newcastle United, as well as some luck. The Magpies have not won this tournament since 1955, and it will be interesting to see how much of an impact the Toon Army will have in this game.