FA Cup | Third Round

Jan 12, 2025 at 3pm UK

St. James' Park

Newcastle vs Bromley

Match preview

Since they lost 4-2 to Brentford in West London on 7 December, Newcastle United have won seven games in a row in the Premier League and EFL Cup, which has put an end to any worries that the North-East giants could start to stagnate because of problems with Profit and Sustainability rules.

The Magpies are now in the running for their first major honour of the 21st century, after a great result on Tuesday night. They beat Arsenal 2-0 in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final, with goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon in the first half.

Before they welcome Mikel Arteta's Gunners to St James' Park for the second leg in early February, Newcastle have to focus on the opening stages of their FA Cup campaign, which ended at the quarter-final stage last year against Manchester City.

They've bagged a maximum of 15 points from their last five top-flight games, so the Magpies are in great form. Eddie Howe's team are currently fifth in the Premier League, just one point behind Chelsea in the lowest of the Champions League spots.

Newcastle are on a great run of form at their North-East base, and they should be feeling pretty confident about making it into the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon. They'll be up against League Two's Bromley, but even though they're chasing a European spot, they've only conceded eight goals across nine matches at St James' Park in the Premier League this season.

Bromley might not be the smallest fish in the pond in the first and second rounds of this season's FA Cup, but they did a great job to set up a glamorous tie against Newcastle. Sunday's visitors are entering the third-round draw for the first time in their history.

The Ravens have had a pretty good route to St James' Park over the past two months, winning a seven-goal thriller at non-league Rochdale in early November before edging past fellow National League outfit Solihull Moors in the West Midlands to earn a third match in the competition.

Andy Woodman's side go into this match with fond memories of a 10-game unbeaten run from early November to the start of January, although Bromley's most recent match ended in their heaviest defeat of the season so far, losing 4-1 at Crewe Alexandra on 5 January.

But the Ravens are still doing well in their first season in the EFL, with Sunday's visitors currently in 12th place in League Two, a whopping 14 points ahead of Morecambe in the relegation zone.

While not many in the Bromley squad have played in the Premier League, there are a couple of players worth keeping an eye on this weekend for Newcastle fans, including striker Michael Cheek. The 33-year-old has already scored 13 goals in his first season in the EFL.

Recent Performance

Newcastle United form:WWWWWW

Bromley FA Cup form:WW

Bromley form:DWWDWL

Team News

Newcastle United's star player Isak had a minor hamstring problem during the win at Arsenal on Tuesday, so the Swede is expected to be rested as a precaution this weekend.

Talking of strikers, Callum Wilson is back on the pitch after his hamstring injury, but he hasn't yet started training with the lads.

Jamaal Lascelles is still working his way back from a knee problem, and the head coach Howe isn't rushing to name a comeback date.

Nick Pope is still a bit away from first-team action following a knock, meaning that Martin Dubravka could start in between the sticks once again.

After letting in four goals at Crewe last time, Bromley will need to step up their defence, with Callum Reynolds probably out of the XI.

There's a case for some new faces in the Ravens side this weekend, so we might see 37-year-old Byron Webster from the start at St James' Park.

Possible starting lineup

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Dubravka; Trippier, Kelly, Burn, Targett; Longstaff, Miley, Willock; Barnes, Almiron, Osula

Bromley possible starting lineup:

Smith; Webster, Sowunmi, Reynolds; Imray, Thompson, Arthurs, Odutayo, Whitley; Cheek, Dennis