Looking to pick up where they left off in the reverse fixture, Manchester City welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium for Wednesday night’s second leg EFL Cup semi-final showdown.
With the Magpies keen to turn things around with a place in the final up for grabs, Sports Today previews what is expected to be another gripping all-Premier League contest between these two sides.
Match Preview
Manchester City are firmly in control of their EFL Cup semi-final after a strong 2–0 first-leg win over Newcastle at St James’ Park three weeks ago.
Goals from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki put Pep Guardiola’s side on course for what could be their 23rd domestic cup final at Wembley Stadium.
In the last six times they have won a semi-final first leg, they have reached the final on five occasions, with the only setback coming against Manchester United back in the 2009/10 season.
Guardiola’s men are now chasing their first EFL Cup title since 2020/21, and with eight trophies in their coffers already, only Liverpool have lifted the trophy more times (10).
Since that first leg victory, City’s form has wobbled. They’ve managed just two wins from the subsequent five games in all competitions (D1, L2), a run capped by a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
That stalemate put a massive dent in their Premier League title challenge, but a return to the Etihad could be the ideal platform for them to return to winning ways.
The Cityzens have won 14 of their last 18 home games in all competitions this season (D2, L2). They’ve also won each of their last 11 meetings with Newcastle at the Etihad.
Newcastle started their EFL Cup title defence with victories over Bradford, Tottenham, and Fulham.
However, their 10-game winning streak in the competition dating back to the start of the 2024/25 season came to an abrupt halt at St. James’ Park with a home defeat to Man City in the first leg.
The Magpies have a massive task ahead of them as they attempt to overturn a two-goal deficit and give themselves a real chance of successfully defending their crown.
Manager Eddie Howe insists his side are still in the fight, sparking hopes that Newcastle could yet pull off the mother of all comebacks behind enemy lines.
If they do so, they’ll be only the second side to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit to reach the EFL Cup final after Aston Villa against Tranmere Rovers in 1993/94.
It doesn’t help that Newcastle have a horrendous record at the Etihad, having lost 17 of their last 18 visits to Man City.
The Magpies have celebrated just one win on Man City’s turf in over two decades.
But it’s worth noting that the solitary success came in this competition when they claimed a 2-0 fourth-round away win in October 2014.
If Newcastle can somehow turn things around, it’ll be difficult to stop them from making it back-to-back EFL Cup titles this season.
Team News
Man City have welcomed Ruben Dias back to the fold after a hamstring injury, but the Newcastle clash could come too soon for the Portuguese centre-back.
The Cityzens will also be without Jeremy Doku, Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, and Savinho, while January addition Marc Guehi is ineligible.
Meanwhile, Newcastle will be without Bruno Guimaraes, who has struggled to shake off an ankle issue.
Sven Botman has recovered in time for this clash, but Lewis Miley is poised to miss out after joining Joelinton, Valentino Livramento, Fabian Schar, and Emil Krafth in the infirmary.
Manchester City potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): James Trafford; Matheus Nunes, Abdulkodir Khusanov, Nathan Ake, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Nico O’Reilly; Rayan Cherki, Bernardo Silva, Antoine Semenyo, Erling Braut Haaland.
Newcastle United potential starting line-up:
(4-3-3): Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall; Joe Willock, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Ramsey; Harvey Barnes, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon.
