Guardiola says luck could decide Manchester City’s FA Cup clash with Newcastle

• Pep Guardiola says fine margins could be decisive as Manchester City face Newcastle United again
• The FA Cup tie will be the fifth meeting between the sides this season
• City also preparing for upcoming fixtures against Real Madrid in the Champions League

Pep Guardiola believes luck could play an important role when Manchester City face Newcastle United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

City travel to St James’ Park for what will be the fifth meeting between the two sides this season. They have already faced each other twice in the Premier League and in a two-legged semifinal of the EFL Cup.

The teams are familiar with each other after those recent encounters. Newcastle won the first league match on Tyneside, while City have won the other three meetings.

Guardiola said there are few surprises left between the two sides.

“We know each other quite well, no surprises,” he said. “It’s not the first time this season.

“How many times we have played Newcastle and Eddie Howe? A lot.

“But it is the same for them. When the margins are so tight the luck is important.”

City head into the match after dropping points in the title race following a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest earlier in the week.

Attention will quickly shift to European competition after the FA Cup tie. Guardiola’s side are preparing for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash with Real Madrid.

Despite the busy schedule, Guardiola said his team remains fully focused on progressing in the FA Cup.

“We’re going to travel to Newcastle to win the game to get in the next round,” he said. “Definitely 100 percent.”

The City manager acknowledged that the evening kick-off provides both advantages and challenges as the team manages its schedule.

“Playing at 3 p.m. we would have to travel today,” Guardiola said. “Playing at night we travel tomorrow. That is the advantage.

“The disadvantage is the recovery for Madrid will be less.”

With several important matches approaching, Guardiola indicated he could rotate players to manage fatigue.

“Now we play a lot of games with long travels away and fatigue is involved,” he said. “So we have to use all the squad, otherwise it will not be possible to play in the rhythm we want.”

Guardiola also highlighted the improving form of midfielder Rodri, who has worked his way back after injury problems.

“Finally it is happening like we wanted from a long time ago,” Guardiola said. “He is having some consistency in his routine to play and play and play. Step by step he is getting better.”

City will also assess the fitness of midfielder Nico O’Reilly, who missed the draw with Nottingham Forest because of an ankle injury.