Can Exeter City Pull Off the Ultimate Upset? FA Cup Third Round Showdown at Manchester City

FA Cup Showdown: Manchester City Host Exeter City in Third Round Clash

The hallowed grounds of the Etihad Stadium are set to host a classic FA Cup encounter as Premier League giants Manchester City welcome League One’s Exeter City on January 10, 2026. This Third Round tie presents a significant challenge for Gary Caldwell’s Exeter side, as they aim to cause a major upset against Pep Guardiola’s dominant Manchester City team. While the Citizens are overwhelming favorites, the FA Cup is renowned for its unpredictable nature, and Exeter will be eager to seize any opportunity to progress.

Manchester City’s Perspective: Balancing Rotation and Dominance

Pep Guardiola faces the perennial challenge of balancing squad rotation with maintaining winning momentum. With a congested fixture schedule across multiple competitions, Guardiola is likely to utilize his squad depth, providing opportunities for fringe players while ensuring the team’s overall quality remains high. However, he will also be acutely aware of the potential for an FA Cup upset, and will likely field a strong enough side to avoid any embarrassing slip-ups.

Predicted Starting XI (4-3-3): Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Aké, Gómez; Kovacic, Rodri, De Bruyne; Bobb, Álvarez, Grealish.

Goalkeeper: Stefan Ortega is likely to deputize for Ederson in goal. Ortega is a reliable shot-stopper and provides a calming presence in the backline.

Defense: Rico Lewis has impressed with his versatility and could start at right-back. Manuel Akanji and Nathan Aké provide a solid central defensive partnership, offering both physicality and technical ability. Sergio Gómez, offering an attacking threat from left-back, completes the back four.

Midfield: Mateo Kovacic brings experience and composure to the midfield, while Rodri anchors the team with his exceptional defensive capabilities and passing range. The return of Kevin De Bruyne from injury is a major boost for City, and he is expected to feature, providing creativity and attacking impetus.

Attack: Oscar Bobb, a promising young talent, could be given an opportunity to showcase his skills on the right wing. Julian Álvarez, a tireless worker and clinical finisher, is likely to lead the line. Jack Grealish, known for his dribbling ability and ability to draw fouls, completes the attacking trident on the left wing.

Exeter City’s Ambition: David vs. Goliath

For Exeter City, this FA Cup tie represents a golden opportunity to test themselves against one of the best teams in the world. Gary Caldwell will be aiming to instill belief in his players, emphasizing the importance of defensive solidity, tactical discipline, and capitalizing on any chances that come their way. Exeter will likely adopt a pragmatic approach, focusing on frustrating City’s attacking flow and looking to exploit any vulnerabilities on the counter-attack.

Predicted Starting XI (5-3-2): MacDonald; Sweeney, Diabate, Jules, Hartridge, Niskanen; Carroll, Cole, Trevitt; Scott, Cox.

Goalkeeper: Viljami Sinisalo is currently on loan at Exeter City from Aston Villa. However, with his loan expiring on January 7th, the goalkeeper may not be available for this match. This means that Gary Caldwell is likely to put his faith in Gary MacDonald to take up the position.

Defense: A five-man defense is expected in order to provide as much defensive cover as possible. Pierce Sweeney, Cheick Diabate, and Zak Jules will form the central defensive trio, aiming to nullify City’s attacking threat. Jake Hartridge and Ilmari Niskanen will operate as wing-backs, tasked with tracking back diligently and providing width in attack.

Midfield: Ryan Carroll, Reece Cole, and Luke Trevitt will form the midfield three, responsible for winning possession, shielding the defense, and providing support to the forwards.

Attack: Sonny Cox, Exeter’s young prospect, is expected to partner with James Scott upfront. The pair will need to be clinical in front of goal if Exeter are to have any chance of causing an upset.

Tactical Battleground: Key Matchups and Strategies

The tactical battle between Guardiola and Caldwell will be fascinating to observe. City are expected to dominate possession, utilizing their intricate passing patterns and movement off the ball to create goal-scoring opportunities. Exeter will need to be well-organized defensively, maintaining their shape and discipline to limit City’s space in the final third.

Key Matchups:

• Rodri vs. Ryan Carroll: Rodri’s ability to dictate the tempo of the game will be crucial for City. Carroll will need to disrupt Rodri’s rhythm and prevent him from spraying passes forward.
• Kevin De Bruyne vs. Reece Cole: De Bruyne’s creativity and vision will pose a significant threat to Exeter’s defense. Cole will need to track De Bruyne’s movements and prevent him from finding space in dangerous areas.
• Jack Grealish vs. Pierce Sweeney: Grealish’s dribbling ability and ability to win fouls could cause Sweeney numerous problems. Sweeney will need to be disciplined in his tackling and avoid giving away cheap free-kicks in dangerous areas.

Manchester City’s Attacking Strategy: City will look to exploit the width of the pitch, utilizing the pace and trickery of Bobb and Grealish to stretch Exeter’s defense. De Bruyne’s through balls and Álvarez’s movement in the box will also be key to unlocking Exeter’s backline.

Exeter City’s Defensive Strategy: Exeter will prioritize defensive solidity, packing the midfield and limiting the space for City’s creative players. They will look to hit City on the counter-attack, utilizing the pace of Cox and Scott to exploit any gaps in City’s defense.

Prediction: City’s Quality to Prevail

While Exeter City will undoubtedly put up a spirited fight, Manchester City’s superior quality and tactical flexibility are likely to prove too much for the League One side. City’s attacking firepower and defensive solidity should see them progress comfortably to the next round of the FA Cup. However, Exeter’s resilience and determination could make it a more competitive encounter than many expect.

Predicted Score: Manchester City 3 – 0 Exeter City

FAQ

Will Pep Guardiola field a full-strength team against Exeter City?

It’s unlikely Pep Guardiola will field his strongest possible eleven. He’s likely to rotate some players to keep the squad fresh, especially with a busy schedule. However, he will also want to avoid an upset, so expect a strong team with a mix of first-team regulars and squad players.

What are Exeter City’s chances of causing an upset?

It will be very difficult for Exeter to win against Manchester City. They are the underdogs and will need to be at their absolute best defensively and take any chances that come their way. A moment of brilliance or a City off-day could give them a chance, but the odds are heavily stacked against them.

Which Manchester City player should Exeter City be most worried about?

Kevin De Bruyne. His vision, passing range, and ability to create chances out of nothing make him a constant threat. If Exeter can keep him quiet, they’ll significantly improve their chances of a positive result.

What formation are Exeter City likely to play?

Given the gulf in quality between the two sides, Exeter are likely to play a defensive 5-3-2 formation. This will allow them to pack the midfield and defense, making it difficult for Manchester City to break them down. They will then look to hit City on the counter-attack.

Where can I watch the Manchester City vs. Exeter City FA Cup match?

Details about where to watch the match will be available closer to the game date. Check your local TV listings and sports streaming services for broadcast information.