The Emirates FA Cup continues to deliver excitement in the 2025/26 season, and Manchester City fans have a compelling fourth-round tie to look forward to. On Saturday, February 14, 2026, Manchester City host League Two side Salford City at the Etihad Stadium in what promises to be a classic David vs. Goliath matchup.
This clash marks Salford City’s first-ever appearance in the FA Cup fourth round, while Manchester City—last season’s runners-up—are aiming to go deep again after a dominant 10-1 win over Exeter City in the previous round. With the current time in India around early afternoon IST on match day, here’s your complete guide to the game, optimized for fans searching for “Manchester City FA Cup where to watch,” “Man City vs Salford lineups,” and “score predictions.”
Match Details: Manchester City vs Salford City
- Competition: Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Proper
- Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 15:00 GMT (UK time) / 20:30 IST (India) / 10:00 AM EST (US)
- Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
- Capacity: Approximately 53,400
- Context: Manchester City enter as heavy favorites, having thrashed lower-league opposition recently. Salford City, co-owned by Manchester United legends, will hope for a historic upset despite the gulf in class.
Manchester City have a strong recent FA Cup record, reaching at least the semi-finals in recent years and winning the trophy twice in the last decade. This tie offers Pep Guardiola a chance to rotate his squad ahead of a busy schedule.
Where to Watch Manchester City vs Salford City
Broadcast rights for the FA Cup vary by region. Here’s how to catch the action live:
- In the United States: Stream on ESPN+ (including the ESPN app). Some matches may also appear on ESPN Deportes or fuboTV.
- In the United Kingdom: Typically available on BBC, ITV, or TNT Sports (check local listings for this specific tie, as FA Cup games are often shared across free-to-air and pay TV).
- In India: Likely available via streaming platforms carrying ESPN or similar sports networks—check Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLIV, or official broadcasters for FA Cup rights in your region.
- Global Options: Official Manchester City website/app often provides live coverage details, or use a VPN for access to your home country’s streams if traveling.
For the latest TV and streaming updates, visit official sources like mancity.com or thefa.com closer to kick-off.
Potential Lineup for Manchester City
Pep Guardiola often rotates in early cup rounds to manage player workload, especially with Premier League and European commitments. Expect a mix of starters and fringe players.
A possible Manchester City starting XI (4-3-3 formation):
- GK: Stefan Ortega (or Ederson if rested)
- DEF: Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Aké, Josko Gvardiol
- MID: Mateo Kovacic, Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes
- FWD: Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland (may start or come off bench), Jeremy Doku
Key players to watch: Erling Haaland (scored in recent cup thrashings), Phil Foden (creative force), and young talents like Rico Lewis for rotation opportunities.
Salford City are expected to field a defensive setup, relying on counter-attacks against City’s possession dominance.
Score Predictions
Manchester City are in excellent form, unbeaten in recent matches and capable of high-scoring wins against lower-tier sides (e.g., 10-1 vs Exeter, 8-0 vs Salford in a prior meeting). Salford will fight hard but face an uphill battle.
Expert and fan consensus predictions:
- Most likely: Manchester City 4-0 or 5-0 win — Comfortable home victory with rotation players shining.
- High-scoring option: 6-1 or higher if City click early.
- Upset chance: Very low (under 5-10%), but FA Cup magic means anything can happen—perhaps a 2-1 squeaker if Salford frustrate.
Overall prediction: Manchester City 5-0 Salford City. Expect goals from set pieces, quick counters, and Haaland involvement.