FA Cup 2025/26: Manchester City vs Liverpool Preview, Prediction, TV channels & Predicted Lineup
A titan-clash at the Etihad sees Manchester City and Liverpool renew their fierce rivalry with an FA Cup semi-final spot at stake. Both giants arrive in scintillating form, chasing a historic treble.
Match Facts
Both clubs remain alive in the Premier League title race and the Champions League quarter-finals, making this FA Cup tie a high-stakes psychological battle.
Manchester City are currently on a 24-match unbeaten streak at home in all competitions, stretching back to early 2025.
The Reds have won their last six away games in the FA Cup, a club record, including a dramatic 3–2 win over Arsenal in the previous round.
The last five meetings between Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot’s sides have produced 18 goals, averaging 3.6 per game, promising a goal-fest for the neutral.
Predicted Lineup
Manchester City: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Haaland, Cherki
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Prediction of AI
This is a coin-toss encounter between the two most complete squads in world football. Manchester City’s ability to suffocate opponents at the Etihad gives them a slight edge, but Liverpool’s devastating transitional play under Arne Slot is designed to exploit the spaces City leave behind. With both managers likely to field near-full-strength XIs, expect a tactical stalemate that could go the distance. City's bench depth might just prove the difference in extra time.
Predicted Score: Manchester City 2–1 Liverpool (AET)
Kick Off Time?
Competition: FA Cup (Quarter-Final)
Kick-off (GMT): 11:45, Saturday, April 4, 2026
Stadium: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
How to Watch in the UK and US?
United Kingdom: The match will be broadcast live and free-to-air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with additional coverage on BBC Sport Online.
United States: Fans can stream the match exclusively on ESPN+, which holds the exclusive rights to all FA Cup fixtures in the US.
TV Channel and Live Stream: You can also follow Xscore808 live updates for other countries.
