Man City vs Newcastle Preview & Prediction | 2025-26 English League Cup | Semi-Final
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Manchester City take on Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium under a bit of pressure as they bid to reach Wembley Stadium in the final of the EFL Cup this season.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Paramount+
Man City preview: Pep’s last year
Reports suggesting that Pep Guardiola will soon be departing Manchester City at the end of this season, rather than next year, with the Cityzens having been in extremely average form of late.
City gave up a two-goal lead to share a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the other day, meaning that they have now managed just one win in their last six matches in the Premier League.
Newcastle preview: Need a big win
Newcastle United come into this one on the back of taking the lead against Liverpool, via Anthony Gordon, but the Magpies then succumbed to a 4-1 defeat to the Reds as they drift back into the middle-of-the-table.
The pressure is beginning to grow on Eddie Howe. They have managed just one win inside 90 minutes in their last seven matches across all competitions, including a defeat in the first-leg of this semi-final.
Man City team news: Cherki a doubt
Rayan Cherki suffered a knock against Tottenham and so he is now a doubt for this one, while Ruben Dias returned to training on Tuesday and will be assessed ahead of it.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Lewis, Khusanov, Guehi, Ake; Rodri, Reijnders; Silva, Foden, Semenyo; Haaland
Unavailable: Gvardiol (Injured), Stones (Injured), Kovacic (Injured), Doku (Injured), Savinho (Injured)
Questionable: Dias (Fitness), Cherki (Fitness)
Newcastle team news: Miley likely out
Howe has confirmed that Lewis Miley is expected to be unavailable for this one but Sven Botman is now fit. That is much-needed for the visitors as they have some other key defensive absentees, such as Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Willock, Tonali, Ramsey; Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon
Unavailable: Schar (Injured), Livramento (Injured), Krafth (Injured), Joelinton (Injured)
Questionable: Guimaraes (Injured), Miley (Injured)
Man City vs Newcastle prediction
The first-leg of this EFL Cup semi-final saw Manchester City defeat Newcastle by two goals to nil, courtesy of goals from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki. The hosts had found some form last month but they have collapsed in the last few weeks. They now face a Newcastle side that are in woeful form at the moment, after their own improvement last month. Newcastle have a lot going on in terms of FA Cup and UEFA Champions League football, and a low key second-leg win for the hosts seems likely.
Man City vs Newcastle tip: Man City to win & under 3.5 goals
