Manchester City v Newcastle: Preview, Team News & Prediction

Seeking to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit, EFL Cup holders Newcastle United travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City. The winners will face Arsenal in the final at Wembley Stadium on March 22 following their 4-2 aggregate win over Chelsea.

Match Preview

Man City are in the driving seat after securing a commanding 2-0 first-leg victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park three weeks ago, following goals from Antoine Semenyo and Ryan Cherki.

Cherki's goal in the 98th minute was a late blow to Eddie Howe and the team making the task of turning the tie round a step too far in the eyes of most fans.

However, since that first-leg win, Guardiola and City have suffered a dip in form (W2 D1 L2) most recently giving away a 2-0 first half lead at Spurs on Sunday to concede two second half goals in a 2-2 draw.

Second half performances have been an issue for City in 2026 in the Premier League.

Six first-half goals have been scored without reply, but they have conceded six in the second half without scoring. The Toon will hope that City's poor second half form is repeated in this game.

But, the omens aren't good. City have won their last11 home encounters with Newcastle by an aggregate score of 37-3, including a 4-0 victory in February 2025.

The Magpies go into the game on the back of three PL games without a win and still reeling from that 4-1 defeat by Liverpool. Another game where taking the lead resulted in a defeat.

Eddie Howe has said that Cherki's late goal was a “body blow” but “not fatal” and has insisted that his team are “still in there fighting” as they bid to become just the second side to overturn a 2+ goal first-leg deficit to reach the EFL Cup final.

In truth. an almighty challenge awaits Newcastle, who have lost 17 of their last 18 visits to Man City and have only celebrated one victory at the Etihad over the last 22 years - a 2-0 EFL Cup win in 2014.

Team News

Newcastle: Howe has revealed that Guimaraes and Miley are both expected to miss out, joining Joelinton (groin), Tino Livramento (hamstring), Fabian Schar (ankle) and Emile Krafth (knee) in the treatment room, but Sven Botman is available for selection.

The absence of Bruno and Jo is likely to see Eddie Howe again select a midfield three of Ramsey, Tonali and Willock. Will Wissa or Woltemade return to the ST position and who will play on the wings? Eddie may rest Gordon and Barnes for the Brentford game on Saturday.

Manchester City: Marc Guehi is ineligible having been signed after the first leg, unlike Semenyo who scored the first goal at SJP.

Ruben Dias has returned to training this week but he is not expected to feature while Jeremy Doku, Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, and Savinho all remain sidelined.

Gianluigi Donnarumma. as in the first leg, is expected to give way to James Trafford.

Match Prediction

If Newcastle turn this game round and book a place in the Final it will go down as one of our best results in recent times.

Many fans have already written this game off and, with a far from our best eleven starting the game, most are expecting City to win easily and deny us the chance of defending the EFL Cup against Arsenal.

Only the most optimistic, and unrealistic, of fans will be predicting that we can win - and I am not one of them. A draw IMO is the best we can expect and whilst it would still mean we go out, it would be a respectable result ahead of the Brentford game.

As always, Newcastle fans live in hope.

Miracles can happen.

As Jimmy Greaves used to say "it's a funny old game".

We'll and be laughing and whooping if a miracle happens at the Etihad tonight.

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