Manchester City will look to extend their recent revival when they host League Two side Salford City FC in the FA Cup Round of 32 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, January 11, 2025.
Pep Guardiola’s side has shown signs of improvement with back-to-back wins after a rough patch earlier in the season. With the FA Cup offering a chance for redemption following last season’s final loss to Manchester United, City will aim to assert their dominance against their lower-league opponents. Africa Football’s editor Allan Damba predicts the outcome and provides some betting tips.
Match Overview: A Clash of Contrasting Fortunes
Manchester City enters this encounter as overwhelming favorites. Despite their inconsistency this season, the Premier League giants are expected to cruise past Salford, who currently sit third in League Two with 42 points from 24 matches.
Salford, however, comes into this game in sensational form, boasting a six-match winning streak across all competitions. Their latest triumph—a 1-0 win over Milton Keynes Dons—was secured by Jerome Abiola Adelakun’s strike. The underdogs will relish the challenge of testing themselves against one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Our Prediction for Manchester City vs Salford
This match provides an excellent opportunity for Manchester City to continue building momentum. Playing at home and against a fourth-division team, City is expected to deliver a comprehensive victory.
Betting Tips:
- Over 3.5 goals (odds of 1.56 on 1xbet): City’s firepower and Salford’s challenge to contain them point to a high-scoring affair.
- Handicap 2 (+3.5) (odds of 1.65 on 1xbet): Salford’s resilience may limit City from running riot entirely, making this a smart betting choice.
Manchester City: Recent Form Analysis
After a tough stretch that saw them win just one of 13 games, Manchester City has turned a corner with consecutive victories. They dismantled West Ham United 4-1 over the weekend, following a solid 2-0 triumph against Leicester City.
- Last Five Matches: 2 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses.
- Latest Result: Manchester City 4-1 West Ham.
Salford City: Recent Form Analysis
Salford City heads into this game in sensational form. The League Two outfit has won their last six matches without conceding a single goal, showcasing both defensive solidity and attacking efficiency. Their most recent victory, a 1-0 win over MK Dons, underscores their confidence.
- Last Five Matches: 5 wins.
- Latest Result: MK Dons 0-1 Salford City FC.
Player to Watch: Tyrese Fornah
Salford’s remarkable defensive run has been underpinned by Tyrese Fornah’s contributions in midfield. The Sierra Leonean international provides critical cover for the backline while adding value in attack, with one goal and two assists in 23 matches this season. His performance will be pivotal as Salford aims to pull off an FA Cup shock.
Final Betting Tips
- Over 3.5 goals (odds of 1.56 on 1xbet).
- Handicap 2 (+3.5) (odds of 1.65 on 1xbet).
