With new deadline-day signings in tow, Manchester City move forward in the FA Cup with a fourth-round visit to League One side Leyton Orient on Saturday.
After a 5-1 humbling by Arsenal in Premier League play, City are targeting a second-half revival this season now that the transfer window has closed.
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Pep Guardiola will hope the arrival of Nico Gonzalez can help shore up the massive holes in midfield, and this match could be a great opportunity for the new signing to hit the ground running. He joins Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis as part of the expensive spending spree for the club this January.
They will hope to get time against Leyton Orient who sit sixth in the third-tier standings and are pushing for a playoff position.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides.
Leyton Orient vs. Man City lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Leyton Orient are dealing with a few injuries affecting the squad, but their manager Richie Wells made waves for how he’s downplayed the selection issues. Last weekend, Wellens took a shot at Spurs, who are suffering from a terrible injury crisis, by claiming, “I’m not Ange Postecoglou” as he said he would not make injuries an excuse. He issued an apology shortly after.
Most notably, center-back Omar Beckles won League One Player of the Month in December but missed their weekend defeat due to injury, while veteran full-back Sean Clare has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries all season. Another long-term issue is to wide men Theo Archibald and Jordan Graham, who have serious knee injuries.
It will be interesting to see how new January signings Randell Williams and Rarmani Edmonds-Green fit into the squad after joining just before the deadline. Sonny Perkins, who was on loan at Orient, has also completed a permanent move.
Leyton Orient predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Keeley (GK) — Galbraith, Cooper, Happe, Currie — Pratley, Brown — Markanday, Donley, Abdulai — Kelman
Injured: Archibald (ACL), Beckles, Clare
Suspended: None
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There are no new injuries for Guardiola to deal with, leaving the only definite absences as Rodri, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, and Oscar Bobb. Jeremy Doku has a chance of returning this week, as does goalkeeper Ederson, although it’s likely that Stefan Ortega will keep his place in the side.
While Kevin De Bruyne appeared off the bench once more against Arsenal, it remains to be seen whether Guardiola is prepared to risk him from the start or continue to manage his minutes.
City’s new signings could be in line to appear, with fans especially hoping that Nico Gonzalez could take a spot in midfield, replacing either Bernardo Silva or Mateo Kovacic. Additionally, it could be a chance for Abdukodir Khusanov to earn some redemption at the back, giving one of the regulars some rest.
Man City predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Ortega (GK) — Nunes, Akanji, Khusanov, Gvardiol — Gonzalez, Gundogan — Marmoush, McAtee, Savinho — Haaland
Injured: Rodri (ACL), Bobb (leg), Ake (muscle), Dias (groin), Doku (knock, doubt)
Suspended: None
Leyton Orient vs. Man City live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this FA Cup match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV channel | Streaming |
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | Sportsnet | Sportsnet NOW |
| UK | BBC One | BBC iPlayer/website |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | — | — |
