Manchester City will host Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday night, with a spot in the final on the line.
Manchester United are 2-0 up from the first leg, and they will look to get the job done at home vs Newcastle United on Wednesday night. Pep Guardiola’s men are undoubtedly the better team, and they will be expected to pick up a win here. It will be interesting to see if Newcastle United can turn things around and bounce back strongly.
Overturning a 2-0 deficit away from home against Manchester City will be a massive challenge for them, and the visitors will need a major slice of luck to head into the final this season. Both teams have been inconsistent in recent weeks and dropped points in the Premier League this past weekend. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
While Manchester City played a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United suffered a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool. Meanwhile, the Tyneside outfit managed to win the EFL Cup last season, but it seems that their defence will come to an end this week. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the upcoming meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester City
John Stones (thigh), Mateo Kovacic (ankle), Ruben Dias (thigh), Jeremy Doku (calf), and Josko Gvardiol (calf) are ruled out. Additionally, Rayan Cherki is struggling with a knock, and Marc Guehi is ineligible, as he was not registered before the first leg.
Manchester City will shape up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation vs Newcastle United, with James Trafford in goal. Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly will start as the full-backs. They will keep things tight at the back and help out in the final third. Meanwhile, Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov will form the central defensive partnership.
As for the midfield unit, Nico Gonzalez will start in the middle of the park, looking to control the tempo and provide defensive cover, with Tijjani Reijnders adding drive and creativity alongside him in the central areas.
Bernardo Silva will add creativity from the attacking midfield role. Phil Foden and Antoine Semenyo will add flair and goals from the flanks, with Omar Marmoush leading the line for Manchester City vs Newcastle United on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly; Reijnders, Gonzalez; Foden, Silva, Semenyo; Marmoush
Newcastle United
Emil Krafth (knee), Valentino Livramento (thigh), Joelinton (groin), and Fabian Schar (ankle) are all ruled out for the away side. Newcastle United will shape up in a 4-3-1-2 formation vs Manchester City, with Aaron Ramsdale in goal.
Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw will pair up at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Lewis Miley will start in the middle of the park alongside Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. Guimaraes and Miley will look to add creativity and drive to the side, while Tonali looks to provide defensive cover.
Anthony Gordon will start as the attacking midfielder, and he will look to create openings in the final third. Finally, Nick Woltemade will lead the line for Newcastle United alongside Yoane Wissa.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Ramsdale; Trippier, Botman, Thiaw, Hall; Bruno, Tonali, Miley; Gordon; Wissa, Woltemade
Key Stats
- Manchester City have kept a clean sheet in their last seven home matches against Newcastle United in all competitions.
- Manchester City have won their last 11 home matches against Newcastle United in all competitions.
- 18 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
- Newcastle United are without a win in five of their last six matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Antoine Semenyo
The Ghanaian international is in excellent form this season, and he has been outstanding since his move to Manchester City. He has been scoring goals regularly and could cause all sorts of problems for Newcastle United with his dribbling and goal-scoring.
Newcastle United have looked vulnerable at the back in recent weeks, and they have conceded seven goals in their last three outings. They will struggle to contain the African attacker, and he is our player to watch out for. Manchester City will depend on him in the final third, and he could help them progress through the next round of the competition.
Prediction
Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle United
Manchester City picked up a comfortable win in the first leg away from home, and they should be able to get the job done here as well. The hosts have a better team, and they are in better form. They are unbeaten in four of the last six matches in all competitions.
The Citizens also have an excellent record against Newcastle United. On the other hand, the visitors are without a win in five of their last six matches in all competitions. They are likely to come up short again. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Pep Guardiola and his charges.
