FA Cup Fourth Round Preview: Birmingham vs Newcastle

Fixture: Birmingham vs Newcastle

Date: Saturday, 8 February 2025

Kick-off: 17:45 GMT

Venue: St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, Birmingham

Broadcast: BBC One (UK)

The FA Cup fourth round continues with Newcastle United travelling to St. Andrew’s to face Birmingham City. The Magpies will be wary of another FA Cup slip-up, having struggled in this competition historically. Meanwhile, League One leaders Birmingham are in impressive form and could pose a serious threat to Eddie Howe’s side.

Both clubs come into this clash with contrasting priorities—Newcastle are battling for European places in the Premier League, while Birmingham are pushing for promotion back to the Championship. However, with a place in the FA Cup fifth round on the line, neither side will take this match lightly.

• W 2-1 vs Rotherham (League One)
• W 1-0 vs Huddersfield (League One)
• D 1-1 vs Wrexham (League One)
• W 1-0 vs Exeter City (League One)
• W 2-1 vs Lincoln City (FA Cup Third Round)

Birmingham have won four of their last five matches, conceding just three goals in that time. Their solid defensive structure has been key to their strong League One campaign.

• W 2-0 vs Arsenal (Carabao Cup)
• L 1-2 vs Fulham (Premier League)
• W 3-1 vs Southampton (Premier League)
• L 1-4 vs Bournemouth (Premier League)
• W 3-0 vs Wolves (Premier League)

Newcastle’s form has been inconsistent, but they've won two of their last three matches. Their 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup this week showed the quality they do have.

• Newcastle hold a superior record, winning four of the last six encounters.
• The teams last met in the 2016-17 FA Cup third round, with Newcastle winning 3-1 in a replay after an initial 1-1 draw.
• Newcastle have won the FA Cup six times, but their last triumph was in 1955.
• Birmingham have never won the FA Cup, finishing runners-up in 1931.
  

Injuries & Suspensions:

• Lee Buchanan (Season-ending injury) – Out
• Paik Seung-ho (Muscle injury) – Could return
• Willum Willumsson (Knock) – Expected back
  

• GK: Ryan Allsop
• DEF: Ben Davies, Alex Cochrane, Christoph Klarer
• MID: Thiago Iwata, Tahith Gardner-Hickman, Paik Seung-Ho, Marc Leonard, Ethan Laird
• ST: Jay Stansfield, Alfie May

Key Player: Jay Stansfield – Birmingham’s top scorer with 14 goals, his movement and finishing will be vital.

Injuries & Suspensions:

• Harvey Barnes (Muscle injury) – Mid-February return
• Jamaal Lascelles (Cruciate ligament injury) – Out
  

• GK: Martin Dúbravk
• DEF: Dan Burn, Fabian Schär, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento
• MID: Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff
• ATT: Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson, Jacob Murphy

Key Player: Anthony Gordon– The English winger has the quality to trouble Birmingham’s defence.

• Compact and disciplined defensively, with three centre-backs shielding Allsop.
• Counter-attacking setup, using Stansfield and May to press high.
• Strong at home, having lost just once in their last 15 matches at St. Andrew’s.
  

• Quick transitions through midfield, relying on Guimarães and Tonali to dictate play.
• Wide overloads, using Livramento and Gordon to stretch Birmingham’s defence.
• Early pressing, aiming to force mistakes from Birmingham’s backline.
  

Birmingham will provide a stern test at home, but Newcastle’s quality should ultimately shine through. Expect the Magpies to dominate possession, while Birmingham will look to hit them on the counter.

Final Score: Birmingham City 1-3 Newcastle United

Newcastle’s attacking depth should be enough to secure victory.

Newcastle have struggled in the FA Cup in recent years, but they should have enough to progress past Birmingham’s valiant effort.

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