Manchester City will host Exeter City in the FA Cup third round at the Etihad Stadium. The match is set for Saturday afternoon, with a kick-off time of 15:00 UK. City looks to secure their first victory of 2026 after three consecutive draws to start the year.
Team Updates Ahead of the FA Cup Clash
Manchester City is managing player injuries as they prepare for the match. They recently brought back academy defender Max Alleyne from a loan at Watford. The team is also in pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi to strengthen their defense.
- Josko Gvardiol is out with a long-term injury.
- Ruben Dias will be unavailable for at least another month due to a hamstring issue.
City has welcomed back Ballon d’Or winner Rodri in recent weeks. However, they still face challenges with several players sidelined, including Oscar Bobb, Mateo Kovacic, and John Stones. Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush are participating in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Confirmed Line-ups for Manchester City vs. Exeter City
As the FA Cup match approaches, the confirmed line-ups from both teams have been announced.
| Manchester City Starting XI | Exeter City Starting XI |
|---|---|
| Trafford | Whitworth |
| Lewis | Niskanen |
| Khusanov | Turns |
| Alleyne | Fitzwater |
| Ake | Woodhouse |
| Rodri | Oakes |
| Reijnders | Doyle-Hayes |
| McAidoo | Brierley |
| Cherki | Cole |
| Semenyo | Aitchison |
| Haaland | Wareham |
City’s bench includes Donnarumma, Doku, Nico, Silva, Nunes, O’Reilly, Foden, Mukasa, and Mfuni. Meanwhile, Exeter City has Bycroft, Dean, McMillan, Francis, Birch, Higgins, Cox, Mendes Gomes, and Magennis available as substitutes.
Looking Ahead
Manchester City aims to overcome their recent form and establish a winning streak. With aspirations for silverware still alive, especially considering their upcoming Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle, this FA Cup fixture is crucial for the Blues.
