Manchester City ended 2025 with eight consecutive wins across all competitions, but they have not similarly begun the new year. After three draws to start 2026, Pep Guardiola is in a tense mood in the context of the title race, as they failed to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Those three consecutive draws since the turn of the year have come against Sunderland, Chelsea, and earlier this week to Brighton & Hove Albion. Those results include back-to-back home clashes where they have dropped points, and as a saving grace, Arsenal failed to defeat Liverpool, so Manchester City are still six points behind the North Londoners.
Shifting the focus away from the league, Manchester City will aim to do well in the FA Cup, as they came very close to winning the competition last season. An Eberechi Eze goal for Crystal Palace proved the difference in the final last time out, and Guardiola would love to reclaim the cup this season as they kick-start their campaign by hosting League One outfit Exeter City.
Exeter City will want to prove a point against this Manchester City side, and while their fans will take up the entire 7800 seats allocated for the away team, there is not much hope over a win here. Either way, it is a good experience for the League One side, who have seen an upturn in form in their division.
While their hosts only begin their FA Cup journey, Exeter have played two rounds already, defeating non-league side Halifax Town on the road and then a 4-0 win at home over Wycombe Wanderers. They also come into this clash with Manchester City with three games without a loss, including two wins and a draw in their division.
Pep Guardiola will use this game to rest most of his first-team stars and manage his defensive setup differently. Manchester City are missing a host of their players, especially those at the back. The hosts are missing Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Savinho, Oscar Bobb, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic.
There are also considerable doubts over Nathan Ake and Rodri on their ability to play three games in a week at the current moment. At the weekend, Pep Guardiola started Max Alleyne at the back, following his recall from a loan spell at Watford only a few days ago.
Guardiola is likely to consider a host of his academy prospects for this clash against Exeter City, especially with the need to provide his first-team stars a much-needed breather. Hence, the prediction is that Manchester City boss will go with a team entirely comprising academy stars, with maybe a first-team senior or two included in the mix.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Lewis, Mfuni, Alleyne, Naylor; Gray, Jaden Heskey; McAidoo, Cherki, Reigan Heskey; Mukasa
Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell also has his share of injury issues, with as many as four key stars missing from action for the trip to the Etihad. Johnly Yfeko, Josh Magennis, Ryan Rydel and Danny Andrew are all sidelined.
They also lost key defender Sil Swinkels, who was recently recalled by parent club Aston Villa. Skipper Pierce Sweeney and Jake Doyle-Hayes are both pushing for starts and may get their wishes. Ed Turns might also find himself in the thick of things after returning against Huddersfield Town.
One player, who is certain to start, is wing-back Ilmari Niskanen, who was named Exeter City’s player of the month as well as collecting the goal of the month accolade. Reece Cole and Jack Aitchison are likely to feature in the attacking third, while Jayden Wareham will lead the line for Exeter City against Manchester City.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Whitworth; Sweeney, Fitzwater, Turns; Niskanen, Doyle-Hayes, Brierley, McMillan; Cole, Aitchison; Wareham
The English keeper remains linked with a move away, and playing in this game will have him cup-tied for the remainder of the season. Irrespective of whether he leaves Manchester City this month, this game against Exeter City will be a good chance for Trafford to re-establish his credentials in the grand scheme of things, especially in the buildup to the World Cup.
Conceding a goal against League One outfit Exeter will be a bitter blow for Trafford’s credentials, although he might be handed a bit more responsibility in this game. Considering Pep Guardiola needs to rest many of his first-team stars, the Englishman might be one of the senior stars featuring in this clash, which will bring some responsibilities.
Exeter City could potentially cause an upset of sorts, but they are the overwhelming underdogs coming to the Etihad at the weekend. While they might hope Pep Guardiola will name a young squad of inexperienced players, that may, at least on paper, give them a good chance, they are unlikely to get anything out of this clash.
Meanwhile, Manchester City could indeed name a very inexperienced squad with many academy stars likely to feature in a bid to rest the key first-team stars. Even then, these young players may be levels above what Exeter City can produce, which could decide the game in a big way in favour of Guardiola’s side.
