Manchester City will host Salford City at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup third round.

Man City

Salford

Match Stats

After a 2-0 win at Leicester City to close out 2024, Manchester City began 2025 with a commanding 4-1 victory over West Ham United. Erling Haaland scored twice, Phil Foden added another, and Savinho shone with a standout performance that contributed to three of the goals. Despite the result, manager Pep Guardiola has emphasized that the team is far from its best, as they remain sixth in the Premier League, still two points behind the top four.

As they turn their focus to the FA Cup, City are aiming for their eighth title and third in the last seven years under Guardiola. The team has reached at least the semi-final in the past six FA Cups and has a strong record in third-round matches, winning their last 11 by a dominant scoreline of 46-4.

Salford City, making history by reaching the third round for the first time, come into the match on a strong run of form, having won eight of their last nine matches. Karl Robinson’s side is also in the promotion hunt in League Two, sitting third in the table. However, Salford's only previous encounters with Premier League teams ended in heavy defeats, and Robinson knows it will be a tough challenge to keep Man City at bay. Despite the odds, he is determined to keep his team playing their usual style.