Newcastle United go get serious mountain to climb as dem travel go Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, looking to overturn two-goal deficit against Manchester City for the EFL Cup semi-final second leg.
Man City don already take firm control of the tie after their 2-0 win for St James’ Park three weeks ago, and the winner of this all-Premier League clash go face Arsenal for the EFL Cup final at Wembley on March 22.
Match Preview
Pep Guardiola and him Manchester City side dey firmly in pole position to reach another Wembley final, after goals from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki give dem comfortable advantage for the first leg.
If City qualify, e go be their 23rd domestic cup final under Guardiola, and history dey strongly on their side. Out of the last six times wey City win first-leg semi-final, dem only fail to reach final once, way back for 2009-10 against Manchester United.
City dey chase their first EFL Cup title since the 2020-21 season, and only Liverpool don win the competition more times than dem.
Still, City recent form no too convincing. Since that first-leg win, dem don win just two of their last five matches, drawing one and losing two.
Their most recent outing end in frustrating 2-2 draw against Tottenham for North London, despite leading by two goals at half-time.
That result expose growing concern for Guardiola, as City dey struggle badly for second halves this year, conceding six goals without scoring any in the Premier League in 2026.
Even with those worries, City go welcome the return to Etihad with confidence. Dem don win 14 of their 18 home games for all competitions this season, and dem don beat Newcastle in their last 11 home meetings, with aggregate score of 37-3.
Newcastle, on the other hand, see their impressive 10-game winning run in the EFL Cup end with that first-leg defeat.
Conceding late second goal for St James’ Park pain Eddie Howe well-well, but the Newcastle manager insist say the tie never finish, and say his players still dey ready to fight.
History dey heavily against Newcastle, as dem don lose 17 of their last 18 visits to the Etihad and only win once there in the last 22 years.
That lone victory even come for the EFL Cup back in 2014, when dem beat City 2-0.
Newcastle away form this season no encouraging at all, as dem don win only three of their 16 away matches for all competitions.
Dem also come into this match after heavy 4-1 Premier League defeat to Liverpool, wey leave dem 10th on the table and six points behind the top five.
Still, the Magpies go take small confidence from the fact say dem don eliminate City twice before in this competition, and dem also beat Guardiola side 2-1 for the league back in November.
Team News
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias don return to training after hamstring injury, but e no expected to feature for this match.
Jeremy Doku, Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Savinho all still out injured.
January signing Marc Guehi no fit play due to competition rules, meaning either Max Alleyne or Nathan Ake go partner Abdukodir Khusanov for centre-back.
Goalkeeper James Trafford fit return to the starting XI ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Phil Foden dey hope for recall after he miss the Spurs game, but Guardiola fit still trust Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki behind the attackers.
Cherki dey fit despite small knock and dey chase history as the first City player since Yaya Toure to score in four straight EFL Cup games.
Antoine Semenyo also dey good form and fit continue alongside Erling Haaland, though Omar Marmoush dey push hard for starting spot.
For Newcastle, Bruno Guimaraes miss the Liverpool match with ankle injury and he no expected to return for this one.
Lewis Miley also likely miss out, while Joelinton, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth still dey sidelined.
Sven Botman don return and fit play.
Without Guimaraes and Miley, Sandro Tonali go likely anchor midfield alongside Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey.
Eddie Howe fit change him attack after starting without striker against Liverpool, with either Yoane Wissa or Nick Woltemade possibly coming in.
Possible Lineups
Manchester City:
Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, O’Reilly; Cherki, Bernardo; Semenyo, Haaland
Newcastle United:
Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Willock, Tonali, Ramsey; Barnes, Wissa, Gordon
Prediction
Newcastle no get choice but to attack if dem want any chance of comeback, but that approach fit leave dem exposed at the back.
If dem fit avoid early goal, belief fit grow, but City attacking quality and home dominance should be enough to see dem through.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United
Aggregate: Manchester City win 4-1 and qualify for the EFL Cup final.
