Birmingham City host Newcastle United in the fourth round of the FA Cup tonight with the League One leaders looking to cause an upset and advance into the next round. .
Chris Davies’ side are four points clear at the top of the third division with two games in hand meaning there is a bit of breathing room to focus on progressing through the cup in what would be a be shock result should they defeat the Magpies today.
Newcastle are riding high after a 4-0 aggregate win over Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup during the week which saw Eddie Howe’s team book their place in a second League Cup final in three years. Changes are expected from the Newcastle boss but with a break between this match and the next Premier League fixture Howe can focus his attention on another cup competition as the club seek to end their 70-year trophy drought.
Follow all the FA Cup action with our live blog below:
Newcastle’s near misses: The six times glory slipped by since last major trophy
The Magpies completed a 4-0 aggregate victory over the Gunners at St James’ Park on Wednesday and will now face either Liverpool or Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday, March 16.
Here is a look at Newcastle’s near misses on home soil since winning the FA Cup in 1955.
Will Castle8 February 2025 17:05
Jay Stansfield restored to the starting XI for Birmingham
As expected, League One record signing Jay Stansfield is back in the starting XI for Birmingham as Chris Davies’ side looks to cause an upset against Premier League opposition.
Ethan Laird, Ben Davies, Tomoki Iwata and Keshi Anderson also make their returns to the lineup.
Will Castle8 February 2025 16:59
Changes across the board for Newcastle
Wholesale changes for Newcastle, as was expected coming into today’s clash.
Eddie Howe switches out nine players from their Carabao Cup win over Arsenal in midweek, with ex-Birmingham loanee Dan Burn and skipper Bruno Guimaraes the only players to keep their spot.
Callum Wilson is chosen to lead the line as formidable top scorer Alexander Isak sits on the bench, held in reserve in case of emergency.
Will Castle8 February 2025 16:56
Birmingham vs Newcastle: Confirmed lineups
Birmingham XI: Peacock-Farrell; Laird, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Iwata, Leonard; Wright, Dowell, Anderson; Stansfield.
Subs: Allsop, Bielik, Hanley, Sampsted, Harris, Willumsson, Dykes, May, Jutkiewicz.
Newcastle XI: Pope; Livramento, Kraft, Burn, Targett; Bruno G., Longstaff, Miley; Osula, Wilson, Willock.
Subs: Dubravka, Ruddy, Trippier, Schar, Tonali, Isak, Hall, Murphy, Neave.
Will Castle8 February 2025 16:47
Every FA Cup fourth round tie
The FA Cup is fully back into the swing of things as the fourth round proper takes place across the weekend.
Manchester City then managed to spare their blushes at Leyton Orient in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, coming from behind to eke out a 2-1 win at Brisbane Road.
Here’s everything you need to know about FA Cup the fourth round.
Will Castle8 February 2025 16:40
Birmingham’s FA Cup journey so far
Tonight’s glamour tie against Premier League opposition represents a free shot for Chris Davies’ side, who have breezed through the early stages of the competition so far.
The Blues overcame Sutton United in the first round before defeating Blackpool at Bloomfield Road in the second – a team they were relegated alongside in the 2010/11 Premier League season.
They then beat Lincoln 2-1 to reach this stage of the competition, with a first minute goal from Ayumu Yokoyama putting them in the driving seat for the game’s entirety.
Will Castle8 February 2025 16:20
Magpies chasing a cup double?
The FA Cup could form part of a cup double for Newcastle, who are already planning on trip to Wembley after reaching the EFL Cup final on Wednesday night with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal.
However, the Magpies will be eager for a smoother ride at St. Andrew’s after suffering an early scare in their third round tie against Bromley – conceding the first goal before eventually toppling the League Two outfit 3-1.
Will Castle8 February 2025 16:00
Predicted line-ups
Birmingham XI: Allsop; Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Laird, Dowell, Iwata, Gardner-Hickman, Anderson; Dykes, Stansfield.
Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Krafth, Targett; Miley, Tonali, Longstaff; Murphy, Wilson, Osula.
Will Castle8 February 2025 15:40
Newcastle wary of danger man Stansfield
It’s no secret Jay Stansfield has ability that far outweighs the competition in League 1.
The division’s record signing has backed up the hype with 14 goals in 21 matches, averaging a goal every 116 minutes.
Both he and Alfie May are more than equipped to give the visitors issues, particularly as Newcastle might be suffering after a busy schedule.
Will Castle8 February 2025 15:20
