Blackburn v Newcastle, Luton v Manchester City: FA Cup fifth round – live

Key events

Both managers have picked very strong sides, with only two outfield changes apiece. Jack Grealish gets a chance to impress Pep Guardiola.

Your Emirates FA Cup Hatters 🫡 pic.twitter.com/55n3DNBnFI

— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) February 27, 2024

https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1762553224907649517?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

John Eustace and Eddie Howe have picked pretty strong sides. Howe makes five changes from the defeat at the Emirates but it feels the majority are based on merit rather than a desire to rotate.

🔢 Team news!

2⃣ changes.
✅ Ben Chrisene & Andrew Moran start.
🤕 Sondre Tronstad (ankle) & Ryan Hedges (groin) miss out.
🌹 Our youngest-ever appearance maker Rory Finneran makes the bench.#ROVvNEW | #Rovers 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/w9uCO6DjZr

— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) February 27, 2024

HOWAY THE LADS! ✊ pic.twitter.com/wD1SSTig48

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 27, 2024

Good day, good evening, good morning and welcome to our latest FA Cup clockwatch. Three games tonight, all kicking off at different times for maximum inconvience, and all intriguing in different ways.

  • Bournemouth v Leicester (7.30pm)

  • Blackburn v Newcastle (7.45pm)

  • Luton v Man City (8pm)

With three of the Premier League’s top five already out of the competition, there is a decent chance for an outsider to go all most of the way this season, maybe as far as the semi-finals.

Bournemouth, Leicester, Luton and Blackburn all fall into that category, though promotion/relegation-avoidance may take priority. The team news will reveal all. Newcastle should satill aspire to win the competition, though for now they just want to avoid a shock defeat that would increase the slightly unfair pressure on Eddie Howe.

I won’t insult your intelligence by elaborating on Manchester City’s chances of winning a trophy.