Brazilian international Jesus, along with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, central defender Nicolas Otamendi and skipper David Silva all return to the starting eleven in the wake of last Thursday’s 2-1 league loss at Chelsea.
With City anxious to defend the trophy we won in such style last May, Guardiola had stressed the importance of the competition in the Club’s eyes ahead of the trip to the North East - and his strong selection more than bears that out.
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Meanwhile, central defender John Stones is fit again and amongst those named on a powerful looking bench alongside the likes of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane and young defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Not included in the matchday squad are Fernandinho (suspended), Sergio Aguero - who is side-lined through injury - and Eric Garcia who is still recovering after the injury he sustained against Arsenal earlier this month.
Starting X1
Bravo, Walker, Mendy, Laporte, Otamendi, Gundogan, De Bruyne, D Silva (c), Sterling, Jesus, Mahrez
Subs: Ederson, Stones, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, Sane, Bernardo Cancelo, Foden, Harwood-Bellis
Newcastle X1:
Darlow, Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez, Rose, Saint-Maximin, Hayden, S Longstaff, Almiron, Carroll
Subs: Dubravka, Joelinton, Shelvey, Gayle, Muto, Krafth, Yedlin, Lazaro, M Longstaff
Team analysis
Guardiola is again set to deploy his entrusted 4-3-3 formation against Steve Bruce’s side.
Marshalling Bravo in goal will be full-backs Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy with Aymeric Laporte and Nicolas Otamendi the central defensive bulwark.
Ilkay Gundogan is set to be the midfield anchor with skipper David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne – celebrating his 29th birthday – also providing the engine room guile and precision.
Gabriel Jesus is back to spearhead the City attack with Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez offering width and pace up-front.
Stats and facts
The sides have been paired together in the FA Cup on eight previous occasions with Newcastle holding the upper hand having won six of those ties.
The Magpies emerged victorious in our last two FA Cup meetings, securing home wins in both 1995 and 2002.
To date, City’s sole FA Cup triumph at St James’ Park came back in 1977 when Joe Royle was amongst those on target in a 3-1 fourth round win.
Encouragingly, Pep Guardiola’s side go into the tie boasting a formidable Cup pedigree. We have won our past nine FA Cup ties, scoring 35 goals and conceding just four times.
Seriously impressive reading.
For their part, you have to go way back to 1957 to discover the last time Newcastle knocked out the reigning Cup holders. Ironically that was against City, the Magpies securing a 5-4 win in extra time at Maine Road in a third-round replay.
City, of course, have already played at St James’ Park this season, sharing the Premier League spoils in a 2-2 draw in late November.
Where to watch
The game is being televised live in the UK on the BBC.
Check out our global TV listings for other channels you can see the game.
