Manchester City is set to face Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the City of Manchester Stadium, also known as the Etihad Stadium, at 5:45 PM local time. The match is part of the FA Cup fifth round and presents Manchester City with one last opportunity for silverware this season, following disappointing runs in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Pep Guardiola, the City manager, emphasized the necessity of experience within his team for this fixture. "I need the experienced players to play at their best level, to show they can help us build again," Guardiola stated, reflecting the pressure on his side after failing to defend their league title and exiting Europe at the hands of Real Madrid. Guardiola will hope his team can regain its confidence against Plymouth, who have emerged as surprise contenders after knocking out Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Plymouth Argyle, currently struggling near the bottom of the Championship, stunned fans by defeating Liverpool 1-0 with Ryan Hardie's penalty. This victory has buoyed them as they travel to Manchester to face another top-tier opponent. Miron Muslic, Plymouth's manager, will be relying heavily on every ounce of momentum from their last performance to produce yet another upset.
Match details indicate Plymouth will face one of their toughest matches to date, and fans are eagerly anticipating how they will fare against Manchester City. Guardiola's squad is still reeling from previous disappointments, and any oversight could cost them dearly. Indeed, City's focus will be on securing the required victory to avoid being part of what could be seen as yet another FA Cup giant-killing.
Historically, Manchester City has faced Plymouth Argyle 20 times, with City winning 11 of those contests. The Pilgrims have only managed to defeat City five times, with four matches ending as draws. The last encounter was way back in the 1988-89 season, highlighting the differences in stature and recent history between the two sides. City has dominated lower-tier teams, winning 18 matches consecutively against them with an impressive aggregate score of 69-9.
The game will be broadcast live on ITV4 for UK viewers and can be streamed on ITVX at no cost. Fans tuning in from India can catch the action on Sony Ten 2 SD and HD or through their Sony LIV app. For those situated in the U.S., ESPN's streaming platform, ESPN+, will feature the match.
Soccer enthusiasts will also be keeping an eye on the teams’ predicted starting lineups. For Manchester City, Pep Guardiola is likely to start his team with Ortega; Lewis, Reis, Ake, O’Reilly; Gundogan, De Bruyne (C), McAtee, Bernardo, Grealish, and Foden. On the other hand, Plymouth Argyle is expected to line up with Hazard; Tavolierov, Katic, Pleguezuelo; Mumba, Boateng, Gyabi, Ogbeta; Sorinola, Wright, and Bundu.
While City has their eyes set on winning the FA Cup, Plymouth will be aiming for survival within the Championship after their recent managerial changes brought new signings to bolster the squad. The Pilgrims sit 22nd, just three points adrift of 21st-placed Hull City. Plymouth's impressive cup run has shown their capability and determination to defy expectations.
This match holds significant expectations for both clubs. For Manchester City, it’s more than just advancing to the next round—it’s about regaining form and confidence. For Plymouth, another victory would not only stress their expert talent but also serve as evidence of their growth and resilience. City finds itself at the crossroad of expectation and pressure. Conversely, Plymouth will be out to continue their fairytale cup run, adding to what has been one of the most memorable stories of this year's tournament.
Fans of both sides, and even neutral observers, will be watching closely. Can Plymouth pull off another giant-killing act? Or will Manchester City showcase their resilience and prevail decisively? The anticipation builds as kick-off approaches, and all eyes will soon turn to the Etihad Stadium, where dreams and aspirations clash on the hallowed turf.