Manchester City vs Newcastle: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news, and prediction

Manchester City welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.

City head into this clash with the advantage after claiming a 2-0 victory at Newcastle in the first leg last month.

Match preview

Since beating Newcastle in the first leg, Man City have struggled, winning just two of their last five games across all competitions.

The Cityzens lost a two-goal lead to play a 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday — the first time since 2018 they had failed to win a game that they had led 2-0 at half-time.

Marc Guehi’s arrival and the return of Rodri to full fitness have yet to fully resolve their defensive crisis, while star forward Erling Haaland has struggled in front of goal.

However, City remain the favourites for this clash, given their two-goal cushion and Newcastle’s own poor form. The hosts are aiming to reach the competition’s final for the ninth time.

The Magpies lost 4-1 at Liverpool on Saturday and have won just one of their last five games across all competitions.

The defending champions’ struggles at both ends were laid bare in the first leg and have since shown slight improvement.

The Magpies’ poor away form and record at City, where they have lost in their last 11 visits, make it difficult to see how they can stage a comeback and secure a berth in the final.

Team news

City have received an injury boost with manager Pep Guardiola confirming Ruben Dias’ return to training.

However, Rayan Cherki is a doubt, while Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, Savinho and Jeremy Doku remain sidelined.

Newcastle remain without captain Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Fabian Schar, JEmil Krafth and Tino Livramento. Lewis Miley’s availability is also doubtful.

Predicted line-ups

Man City (4-1-4-1): James Trafford, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Nathan Ake, Matheus Nunes, Rodri, Antoine Semenyo, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Erling Braut Haaland.

Newcastle (4-3-3): Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Joe Willock, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Ramsey, Antony Gordon, Nick Woltemade, Harvey Barnes.