Match Preview: Posh v Manchester City

Read Time: 7 mins

Peterborough United welcome Premier League Champions Manchester City to the Weston Homes Stadium in the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup on Tuesday evening (7.15pm) for one of the most eagerly awaited games in PE2 for many years.

Pep Guardiola’s men are arguably the best side in Europe at present and are the favourites to secure the Champions League this term. They progressed through to this stage of the competition after big wins over Swindon Town on the road and against Championship promotion favourites Fulham at the Etihad.

Posh made it through to the fifth round for the first time in over 30 years following a hard-fought win over Queens Park Rangers at the Weston Homes Stadium after beating Bristol Rovers in round three.

TEAM NEWS

Posh are without the services of skipper Oliver Norburn as he picked up yellow cards in round three and four, while striker Callum Morton is cup-tied after featuring in the competition for Fleetwood in an earlier round. Dan Butler (ankle) and Jack Taylor (hamstring) are out while Mark Beevers has a chance of making the squad after three solid days of training.

The Posh boss confirmed in his pre-match press conference that he may make changes to his starting line-up with a league game against Huddersfield Town just around the corner on Friday evening.

Manchester City are without the services of defender Kyle Walker, who is suspended for a similar reason to Norburn. Goalkeeper Zach Steffen has been ruled out through injury. City have tended to go strong in this competition so far this season but have used it as an opportunity to blood some of the younger talent within the squad like Cole Palmer.

FROM THE GAFFER

“Manchester City are one of the biggest clubs in the world, so it is a great opportunity for the players to go out there and test themselves against a really good team. We know that we have to be structured out of possession, but equally we have to be good on the ball when we get the opportunity to do so. It is a wonderful game of the city, the community, the supporters and everyone connected with the club,” Grant McCann said.

FROM THE OPPOSITION

Guardiola said there are no new injury concerns, with everyone in training despite there being a few “knocks” from the Everton game. But he said number two goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who normally steps up for domestic cup games, is still not fit after suffering a shoulder problem.

That raises the prospect of 36-year-old Scott Carson, the third choice, playing only his second game for the Blues. “No, some knocks but today everyone trains,” he said and added, when questioned about Steffen: “Not yet, still in the gym. He had a problem with his shoulder which is difficult for goalkeepers. We will decide the goalkeeper tomorrow.”

Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus are also expected to return to the starting XI after returning to the squad at Goodison Park following injury.

TICKET INFORMATION

We would like to remind supporters that all tickets for this match will be in the form of e-ticket, digital ticket or physical ticket. No access will be added to season cards for this fixture. Manchester City fans will be in the Deskgo Stand and have sold out of their allocation.

TELEVISION

The game is screened live by ITV with the show starting at 6.45pm. A list of where you can watch the game around the world can be found below.

Algeria

beIN Sports Premium 3, beIN Sports English, beIN SPORTS CONNECT

Angola

SuperSport MaXimo 2, SuperSport Laliga ROA, SuperSport GOtv LaLiga, DStv Now

Argentina

Star+, ESPN2 Argentina

Australia

10 Play, Paramount+

Austria

DAZN