Manchester City are aiming to put last weekend’s humiliation behind them when they visit Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.
The Cityzens were beaten 5-1 by Arsenal last Sunday as they capitulated during an error-strewn second half, dropping to fifth in the Premier League table and 15 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool. They will be seeking a confidence-boosting victory over League One opposition in the capital this time around.
With a gargantuan Champions League play-off first leg clash with Real Madrid to come on Tuesday evening, Pep Guardiola is likely to make sweeping alterations to his side against Leyton Orient. Having fired eight past Salford City in the FA Cup third round, Man City‘s second-string XI should get another opportunity to shine.
Richie Wellens’ side are in impressive form this season and have risen to sixth in League One, but will need a miracle to overcome the riches of Man City. Confidence should be relatively high, however, with the London club having won 12 of their last 16 matches.
Here is 90min’s guide to Man City’s FA Cup tie.
Leyton Orient vs Man City head-to-head results (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Leyton Orient |
Man City |
|---|---|
|
Leyton Orient 0-1 Stockport – 01/02/25 |
Arsenal 5-1 Man City – 02/02/25 |
|
Exeter 2-6 Leyton Orient – 28/01/25 |
Man City 3-1 Club Brugge – 29/01/25 |
|
Leyton Orient 2-0 Reading – 25/01/25 |
Man City 3-1 Chelsea – 25/01/25 |
|
Leyton Orient 0-1 Stevenage – 21/01/25 |
PSG 4-2 Man City – 22/01/25 |
|
Peterborough 0-0 Leyton Orient – 18/01/25 |
Ipswich 0-6 Man City – 19/01/25 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website |
|
United States |
ESPN+, ESPN App |
|
Canada |
Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Now Plus |
Leyton Orient are without a number of key first-teamers for Man City’s visit. Jordan Graham, Dan Agyei, Ollie O’Neill, Omar Beckles, Sean Clare and Jack Simpson are all likely to miss out on the arrival of the reigning Premier League champions.
Rarmani Edmonds-Green and Randell Williams could make their club debuts after January moves.
Leyton Orient predicted lineup vs Man City (4-2-3-1): Keeley; Galbraith, Cooper, Happe, Currie; Pratley, Brown; Markanday, Donley, Abdulai; Kelman.
Man City are still without long-term absentee Rodri and he is joined on the sidelines by Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Jeremy Doku. Ederson missed the Arsenal game with a knock and is a doubt for the weekend – although he’s unlikely to start regardless – while Oscar Bobb could make his long-awaited return from injury after six months out.
The Cityzens are likely to name a much-changed XI ahead of their crunch clash in the Champions League, with the likes of James McAtee, Nico O’Reilly and Divin Mubama among those potentially featuring.
There could also be debuts for winter recruits Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez.
Man City predicted lineup vs Leyton Orient (4-1-4-1): Ortega; Lewis, Khusanov, Reis, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Savinho, McAtee, Gundogan, Grealish; Mubama.
Man City’s second-choice lineup should have no issues easing past third-tier Leyton Orient and Guardiola is likely to give winter signings the chance to dazzle. Having blitzed Salford in the previous round, they should be able to run up the score en route to the fifth round.
An inexperienced defensive unit could hand Leyton Orient the chance to find a consolation or two, but Man City’s peripheral figures should step up to the plate and avoid an almighty giant-killing.
