Fixture: Leyton Orient vs Man City
Date: Saturday, 8 February 2025
Kick-off: 12:15 GMT
Venue: Brisbane Road, London
Match Overview
This is what the FA Cup is all about. A League One side, scrapping for every moment, every pass, every glimmer of hope. A Premier League giant, hunting another trophy, hoping to avoid a banana skin.
On one side, Leyton Orient, a team built on fight and resilience, reaching the fourth round for the first time since 2011. They’ve battled through three rounds, survived two penalty shootouts, and now stand against the might of Manchester City.
On the other side, City—the reigning FA Cup holders, a team that has won this competition seven times and dismantled Salford City 8-0 in the previous round. The stakes are worlds apart, yet for 90 minutes, the pitch is level, and anything is possible.
Will Orient pull off one of the greatest FA Cup shocks of all time? Or will City’s class and power prove too much?
Recent Form & Cup Journey
Leyton Orient (Last 5 Matches in All Competitions)
- L 0-1 vs Stockport (League One)
- W 6-2 vs Exeter (League One)
- W 2-0 vs Reading (League One)
- L 0-1 vs Stevenage (EFL Trophy)
- D 0-0 vs Portsmouth (League One)
Cup Run
- Third Round: 1-1 (Won on Penalties) vs Derby County
- Second Round: 2-1 (After Extra Time) vs Oldham Athletic
- First Round: 2-2 (Won on Penalties) vs Boreham Wood
Orient have made a habit of late drama and penalty shootout heroics—will they need another miracle here?
Manchester City (Last 5 Matches in All Competitions)
- L 1-5 vs Arsenal (Premier League)
- W 3-1 vs Club Brugge (Champions League)
- W 3-1 vs Chelsea (Premier League)
- L 2-4 vs PSG (Champions League)
- W 6-0 vs Ipswich (Premier League)
Cup Run
- Third Round: 8-0 vs Salford City
City are still in multiple competitions but have looked vulnerable in the league and Europe. Could Orient catch them on an off day?
Head-to-Head & FA Cup history
- First meeting since 1966—it’s been 58 years since these teams last faced off.
- Their last encounter ended in a 2-2 draw in the old Second Division.
- City have won 4 of the last 6 meetings, with Orient winning just once.
The history books are distant memories, but FA Cup shocks have been written before.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Leyton Orient Team News
Manager Richie Wellens will likely name his strongest possible XI for what could be the biggest game of their season.
Out/Injured:
- Sam Howes (Goalkeeper – Out)
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Josh Keeley
- DEF: Dan Happe, Brandon Cooper, Jayden Sweeney, J. Currie
- MID: Darren Pratley (C), Ethan Galbraith
- ATT MID: Jamie Donley, A. Abdulai, Dilan Markanday
- ST: Charlie Kelman
Key Player: Josh Keeley – Leyton’s penalty shootout hero this season, he might need the game of his life against City’s attack.
Manchester City Team News
Pep Guardiola will rotate, but even a ‘weakened’ City side is full of world-class players.
Out/Injured:
- Nathan Aké (Muscle Injury – Doubtful)
- Jérémy Doku (Minor Injury – Doubtful)
- Ederson (Knock – Doubtful)
- Ruben Dias (Muscle Injury - Doubtful)
- Rodri (Knee Injury)
Predicted XI (4-3-3)
- GK: Stefan Ortega
- DEF: Abdukodir Khusanov, Manuel Akanji, Vitor Reis, Rico Lewis
- MID: Matheus Nunes, Nico Gonzalez, James McAtee
- ATT: Savinho, Omar Marmoush, Jack Grealish
Key Player: James McAtee – The young midfielder bagged a hat-trick in the last round. Expect him to be given another chance to shine.
Tactical Breakdown & What to Expect
Leyton Orient’s Approach
- Sit deep, stay disciplined, frustrate City.
- Look to hit on the counter with Kelman’s pace.
- Pray for a set-piece goal or a penalty shootout miracle.
Manchester City’s Approach
- Dominate possession and suffocate the game.
- McAtee and Gonzalez to dictate play in midfield.
- A clinical, professional display to avoid any slip-ups.
Prediction: A Brave Fight, But City Too Strong
Orient will give everything. The crowd will roar them on. But this is Manchester City. Even with rotation, their depth is too strong, too clinical, too well-drilled.
Final Score Prediction: Leyton Orient 0-4 Manchester City
City to dominate, move on, and crush any hope of a giant-killing.
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Brisbane Road is ready. Leyton Orient will believe. But Manchester City should have far too much quality. Will it be a cup miracle, or business as usual? The world waits with bated breath.
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