Man City vs Salford Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 English FA Cup | Third Round
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A Greater Manchester derby takes place on Saturday as Premier League reigning champions Manchester City face local rivals Salford City of League Two at the Etihad Stadium.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 11th January, 2025: UK – 5:45pm / US ET – 12:45pm / US PT – 9:45am
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / US – ESPN+
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer / US – ESPN+
Man City Preview: City want to put wins together
After a terrible couple of months, which has sparked a seemingly busy January transfer window for Manchester City, the Cityzens do head into the third round of the FA Cup on the back of back-to-back victories either side of the New Year.
City, who had won just one of their previous 13 matches across all competitions, defeated Leicester City by two goals to nil a couple of weeks ago before then hammering West Ham United by four goals to one last weekend.
Salford Preview: In-form Ammies
Owned by Project 92 made up of members of Manchester United’s famed ‘Class of ‘92’, Salford City have spent a few seasons stagnating in League Two after their rise through the divisions which saw them spend way more than anyone else in non-league at that time.
The Ammies, though, head to the Etihad Stadium this weekend on the back of some good recent form that has them challenging for promotion in League Two. They most recently beat MK Dons by a goal to nil last weekend to mean they are now on a six-match winning streak.
Man City Team News: Bobb back to training
Oscar Bobb has returned to training after a few months missing for City but it remains to be seen as to whether this weekend comes too soon for the young Norwegian and the same can be said for both Ederson, John Stones and Ruben Dias.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Simpson-Pusey, Ake; O’Reilly, Gunodgan; Foden, McAtee, Grealish; Haaland
Unavailable: Rodri (Injured),
Questionable: Ederson (Fitness), Dias (Fitness), Stones (Fitness), Bobb (Fitness)
Salford Team News: Still no Chesters
There are no reported fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Salford City to deal with ahead of their short trip into Manchester but they remain without Dan Chesters until the end of the season due to an ACL injury sustained in November.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Young; Shephard, Tilt, Garbutt; Mnoga, Berkoe, Ashley, Watson, Fornah; Stockton, Adelakun
Unavailable: Chesters (Injured)
Questionable:
Man City vs Salford Prediction
Usually at this stage of the season, Manchester City may well rotate as they prepare for an intense final few months of the campaign but they do not have that luxury nor a desire to rest players at this stage with the rediscovering of their fluency and rhythm of more paramount importance. They face an in-form Salford side that may well fancy their chances of springing a surprise on the counter-attack against a wide open City back-line but it remains overwhelmingly likely that City win with relative ease.
Man City vs Salford Tip: Man City to win & over 3.5 goals
