Date of Tips: 06/01/2026
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (13:37 06/01/2026) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
Manchester City FC
v Exeter City FC 
Etihad Stadium
FA Cup ROUND_3 
10-01-2026 15:00
Man City Form
Exeter City Form
Manchester City vs Exeter City prediction for FA Cup third round clash on 10th January, 2026 with a 3pm kick-off at the Etihad Stadium. Big stage. Huge gap on paper. This preview digs into both sides, team news, likely lineups, and how it might all play out once the whistle goes.
Let’s start with City. Pep Guardiola is still Pep Guardiola. Obsessive, demanding, and always rotating when he can. City compete at the very top of the Premier League and Europe every season, so this competition matters to them even when it looks comfortable.
A few familiar names are missing. John Stones, now well into his 30s and still a key defender when fit, isn’t available. Oscar Bobb, one of the younger attacking options Pep likes to trust, is also sidelined. Mateo Kovacic, the experienced Croatian midfielder who brings control and calm, won’t feature either. That said, the depth is ridiculous, and Pep has options everywhere.
Erling Haaland leads the line. He’s City’s first-choice penalty taker and the one defenders panic about most. Phil Foden, now firmly established as one of England’s best attackers, often handles dangerous free-kicks around the box. Savinho adds pace and chaos from wide areas, while Ryan Cherki gives City creativity between the lines.
Exeter City arrive from League One, where they spend most of their season grinding out results against very different opposition. Gary Caldwell, their manager, knows this level well. He’s managed promotions before and understands how to set a team up to compete, even when the odds are stacked.
The Grecians come in relatively healthy, which matters. Jayden Wareham leads the line and offers a physical outlet. Joshua Magennis, a seasoned forward known for his work rate and aerial presence, is usually a key option and often takes penalties when he’s on the pitch. Ilmari Niskanen brings energy and creativity from wide areas and is one of Exeter’s main set-piece threats.
Manchester City are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 shape. Trafford in goal. Lewis, Khusanov, Ake and O’Reilly across the back. Gonzalez and Nunes sitting deeper. Then Foden, Cherki and Savinho supporting Haaland up front.
Exeter City should stick with their familiar 3-5-2. Whitworth in goal. A back three of Sweeney, Fitzwater and Swinkels. Wing-backs providing width through Niskanen and McMillan. A compact midfield, then Wareham and Magennis looking to battle up top.
This is where it gets interesting. City will dominate the ball. No surprise there. They’ll pin Exeter back, move it patiently, and wait for gaps. The pitch will feel huge for the visitors.
Exeter’s job is simple but brutal. Stay compact. Win second balls. Clear lines. Slow the game down whenever possible. Every corner or free-kick will be a big moment.
City’s movement between midfield and attack is the real difference. Foden and Cherki drifting into pockets will pull Exeter’s shape apart eventually. And once space opens, Haaland doesn’t need much time.
If you’re looking for other angles beyond this game, check out Todays football tips.
City at home in the FA Cup usually means intensity early, then game management. Expect pressure from the first whistle.
Exeter’s best moments likely come from set pieces and transitions. Long throws. Corners. Direct runs. They won’t see much of the ball, so efficiency matters.
This feels like a match where City build a lead and manage the second half.
You’d expect City to win, right? That’s the obvious call. But it’s about how they win.
Exeter will compete, but the technical gap shows over 90 minutes. Once City score, the game opens up. And that usually suits the home side even more.
Match Prediction: Man City to win. Bet with bet365.
Predicting exact scores in cup games is tricky. Still, the pattern points one way. City’s quality plus Exeter’s willingness to fight suggests goals at both ends aren’t impossible, but City should stay in control.
A clear City win with Exeter grabbing moments rather than dominance feels right.
Correct Score Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Exeter City. Bet with bet365.
This one leans towards goals. City create chances in waves at the Etihad. Exeter defending deep invites pressure. The key question is how long Exeter hold firm.
If City score early, the game opens up quickly. If not, patience is needed. Either way, the second half feels busier than the first.
Over/Under Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals. Bet with bet365.
Think simple. City to win comfortably. City to score multiple times. Haaland involved. Cup ties like this usually follow the script once the first goal lands.
Bet Builder Tip: 1st Half: Man City, 2nd Half: Man City, Man City over 2.5 goals, and Haaland to score anytime. Bet with bet365.
Key Stats
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Visit our football previews & predictions page for more betting tips on upcoming matches.
Manchester City are strong favourites due to quality, depth, and home advantage.
Kick-off is at 15:00 UK time on January 10th, 2026.
The match takes place at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
This fixture is part of the FA Cup third round.
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