Man City Aims to Avoid FA Cup Upset Against Plymouth
Manchester City will be looking to maintain their dominance in the FA Cup when they face Plymouth Argyle in the fifth round. As overwhelming favorites, Pep Guardiola’s side must remain focused against a Championship opponent that has already shocked the football world by eliminating Liverpool in the previous round.
City returned to winning ways midweek, securing a crucial victory over Tottenham following setbacks against Real Madrid and Liverpool. The win propelled them back into fourth place in the Premier League, strengthening their Champions League qualification hopes. Now, their attention shifts to cup competition, where they aim to continue their pursuit of silverware.
Plymouth, battling for survival in the Championship, has nothing to lose heading into this fixture. With their remarkable triumph over Liverpool still fresh in memory, they will hope to cause another major upset when they visit the Etihad Stadium.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
- Kick-Off Time: 5:45 PM GMT
- Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Where to Watch
- TV Channel (UK): ITV4 (Coverage starts at 5:00 PM GMT)
- Live Stream: Available via ITVX
- Live Updates: Follow real-time action on Standard Sport’s live blog.
Team News
Manchester City: Guardiola has no new injury concerns following the Spurs victory, meaning he has a fully fit squad to choose from. Kevin De Bruyne, having been rested in the last match, could be in line for a starting role. Meanwhile, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Ilkay Gundogan, and Nathan Ake may also be rotated back into the starting XI.
Plymouth Argyle: Defender Julio Pleguezuelo, who was forced off during the historic win over Liverpool, is expected to be back in contention. Manager Miron Muslic has instilled a more organized defensive approach, which will be crucial in trying to keep City’s firepower at bay.
Match Prediction
Manchester City has a history of comfortable home victories against lower-league opposition in cup competitions. While Plymouth has shown resilience and defensive solidity, City’s attacking depth should prove too much for the visitors to handle.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Plymouth Argyle
Head-to-Head Record
Match Odds
