Manchester City will welcome Salford City in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side will be juggling a tight Premier League title race and domestic cup ambitions. Man City are currently unbeaten in six games across all competitions.
They’re also coming fresh off of a 3-0 league win against Fulham. Meanwhile, Salford are currently sitting in sixth position in League Two. They are also pushing for a promotion place. The gulf in squad value and recent FA Cup scoring output makes this a significant mismatch, so Man City could get away with a dominating win.
Today's the day 🤩
Salford City make their @EmiratesFACup Fourth Round debut, making the short journey to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City 🤝
You can find more of our soccer predictions on our main picks hub. Here’s how we’re betting Manchester City vs Salford City tonight, including our Best Bet, a Same-Game Parlay, and key trends to know.
Manchester City vs Salford City Match Details
Competition: FA Cup (4th Round)
Date & kickoff: Saturday, February 14, 2026 – 10:00 AM ET / 3:00 PM GT
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
Expected XIs: Manchester City 4-1-4-1 vs Salford City 3-1-4-2
Best Bet for Manchester City vs Salford City
Our best bet for Manchester City vs Salford City is Erling Haaland to Score Anytime at -600 (BetMGM) / -600 (FanDuel).
Guardiola suggested in the pre-match press conference that he may not risk Haaland extensively after recent “niggles,” but there is a chance he may be given some playing time considering their push for progression. Across Haaland’s last 10 appearances in all competitions, he has averaged over 0.90 non-penalty xG per 90 minutes and more than four shots per match.
A significant percentage of those attempts came from inside the six-yard box. In the third round, the Citizens dismantled Exeter 10-1. This was their first double-digit goal output in decades. Over their last 20 FA Cup ties against non-Premier League opposition, Man City have scored 82 goals.
At home in those fixtures, the aggregate scoreline stands at 59-5 across 11 matches. That average exceeds five goals per game. Salford have conceded in five of their last seven League Two matches. They’ve also allowed multiple big chances in three of their previous five outings.
Against Premier League opposition in the past, they have lost all three competitive meetings by a combined 15-0 scoreline. This includes an 8-0 defeat at Etihad last season. Even if Haaland gets 15 minutes of playing time, the gulf in quality means that he could still get on the scoresheet.
Manchester City vs Salford City Prediction
Our pick: Man City to Win at -2500 (BetMGM) / -10000 (FanDuel)
Man City are unbeaten in six matches (five wins, one draw). Across their last 10 games in all competitions, they have also recorded eight wins. They’ve scored 29 goals and conceded just seven in that span of time. Their average xG during that span is above 2.5 per match. Salford, by contrast, have won nine of their last 13 matches in League Two. But they operate at a vastly different performance baseline. Their recent 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley exposed difficulties in chance creation against organized defensive blocks. They generated fewer than 1.0 expected goals in that contest. Across their last 10 matches in all competitions, they have scored 14 and conceded 10 and controlled an average possession below 50%. Man City have won their last 20 FA Cup matches against sides outside the Premier League. They’ve also reached at least the semi-finals in eight of the last nine seasons. While cup ties can produce rotation-heavy lineups, the gulf in quality and chance creation makes a Man City win overwhelmingly probable.
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Same-Game Parlay (Bet Builder) for Manchester City vs Salford City
Total Goals Over 3.5 (-420) + BTTS: No (-134) + Erling Haaland to Score Anytime (-125) [via FanDuel]
Man City have produced an aggregate 59-5 scoreline in their eleven consecutive home FA Cup ties against lower-division teams. In eight of those games, Man City kept a clean sheet. Salford’s previous three competitive matches against Premier League opponents ended in 8-0, 3-0, and 4-0 defeats. In those matches, they struggled to progress the ball through midfield under sustained pressure.
That, in turn resulted in minimal shot volume. Over 3.5 goals is supported by City’s attacking tempo, especially taking Haaland’s attacking prowess into consideration. Six of their last eight home matches across competitions have produced four or more total goals. Pairing that with BTTS: No takes Salford’s possible attacking struggles against a compact Man City defense.
Man City usually create high number of goals in home cup matches and keep clean sheets against lower-league opposition. Salford’s average shot output drops significantly against top-tier defensive units. And City’s expected goal differential at the Etihad is among the strongest in English football. Haaland’s shot concentration in central zones, especially against deep defensive blocks, further reinforces this combination.
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Manchester City +370 / Draw +290 / Salford City -135
Goals Markets
Over 2.5: -625 / Under 2.5: +375 Over 3.5: -250 / Under 3.5: +165
Over 2.5: -800 / Under 2.5: +520 Over 3.5: -265 / Under 3.5: +210
BTTS
Yes: +145 / No: -210
Yes: +176 / No: -230
Asian Handicap
Manchester City -2.25: -417 / -2.50: -303 Salford City +2.25: +300
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Draw No Bet
Salford City: +2200
Salford City: +2600
Double Chance
Salford City or Draw: +950
Salford City or Draw: +2000
Trends to Know for Manchester City vs Salford City
Head-to-Head: City won 8-0 in last season’s FA Cup meeting at the Etihad.
Cup Dominance: Manchester City have won their last 20 FA Cup ties against teams outside the Premier League, scoring 82 goals.
Home Record in FA Cup: Their last 11 home FA Cup games against lower-division clubs have ended in victory by a combined 59-5 margin.
Man City’s Recent Form: Unbeaten in six matches (W5 D1), with 17 goals scored during that run.
Salford’s Recent Form: Two defeats in their last three League Two matches, averaging under 1.2 xG per game in that stretch.
Latest Injuries & Lineup News for Manchester City vs Salford City
In soccer, injuries and rotations can drastically alter how a match plays out, especially when it comes to BTTS, totals, and goalscorer markets. Navigating through a few key injuries in this clash, both coaches will look to lineup their strongest XI. Here are the players who are either doubtful or are set to miss out:
Team
Player
Status
Notes
Manchester City
Josko Gvardiol
Out
Tibial Fracture
Manchester City
Mateo Kovacic
Out
Ankle
Manchester City
Jeremy Doku
Doubtful
Calf
Manchester City
Savinho
Doubtful
Unspecified
Salford City
Jay Bird
Out
Achilles
Salford City
Tom Edwards
Out
Unspecified
Salford City
Ade Oluwo
Out
Unspecified
Salford City
Michael Rose
Out
Unspecified
Salford City
Kadeem Harris
Out
Unspecified
Reminder: Always check confirmed lineups 60–75 minutes before kickoff, especially for goalscorer and BTTS markets.
How to watch – quick Q&A
What time is Manchester City vs Salford City?
Manchester City vs Salford City kicks off at 3:00 PM ET on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 (10:00 AM local UK time).
Where is the match being played?
The match will be played at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England.
How can I watch on TV / stream?
Broadcast rights vary by territory. In the US, the FA Cup can be telecast on ESPN Deportes, ESPN Select, and fuboTV. Unfortunately, the match will not be telecast in the UK. The match will also be available to stream on these broadcasters’ official websites.
Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.
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