On Saturday, March 1, 2025, Manchester City will host Plymouth Argyle at the Etihad Stadium for the FA Cup's fifth round. With kickoff scheduled for 14:45 (Brasília time), the match promises intense action as two clubs from different levels of English football meet to vie for advancement.
Manchester City, the reigning champions of the Premier League, enter the match as heavy favorites. They recently secured their place by defeating Leyton Orient 2-1 after having previously crushed Salford City 8-0. Despite recent struggles, Pep Guardiola's squad lifted their spirits with a narrow 1-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur, demonstrating resilience after significant setbacks, including losing to Liverpool and being eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid.
On the other hand, Plymouth Argyle, currently competing in League One, will look to continue their surprising FA Cup run. The Pilgrims have eliminated formidable opponents, including Liverpool, whom they defeated 1-0, alongside another 1-0 win over Brentford. Managed by Miron Muslic, Plymouth will aim for another upset against the vastly superior Manchester side.
The teams have met 20 times historically, with Manchester City winning 11 encounters, Plymouth Argyle securing 5 wins, and the remaining 4 matches ending in draws. City boasts one of the strongest squads globally, significantly outscoring opponents with 41 goals compared to Plymouth's 28 across these face-offs.
Preparations for the match include pregame tactical discussions from both sides. City will likely field players like Ederson, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, and the prolific striker Erling Haaland. The inclusion of stars such as Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden adds to City's depth and attacking threat. Meanwhile, Plymouth's lineup is expected to feature Hazard, Taloverov, Katic, and Hardie, seeking to create chances against the City defense.
The officiant for the match will be Craig Pawson, supported by assistant referees Scott Ledger and Craig Taylor, with VAR overseen by Neil Davies. Their presence ensures the match maintains the highest standards of officiation, which is particularly important during knockout competitions.
Fans will be able to catch all the action live through ESPN and Disney+, providing ample opportunity to witness what is poised to be another chapter in the storied rivalry of these clubs. Given Manchester City’s home advantage and depth of talent, they are expected to dominate, yet the unpredictable nature of cup competitions cannot be overlooked.
Overall, this clash between Manchester City and Plymouth Argyle emphasizes football's exciting unpredictability, where even lower league teams can cause significant upsets. The match is not just another fixture; it holds potential for history-making moments, especially for Plymouth, which seeks to solidify their underdog status.
Kickoff approaches, with anticipation building among supporters. Fans of both teams hope for unforgettable performances as the quest for the FA Cup continues.