Reigning champions, Newcastle United entertain Manchester City in the first leg of their 2025-26 Carabao Cup semi-final.
Newcastle overcame Fulham in their Quarter-Final to set up this semi-final tie, whilst City clinically dispatched Brentford in their Quarter-Final clash.
Team News
Tino Livramento is ruled out for Newcastle after he suffered a hamstring injury in their 3-3 draw against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, which Eddie Howe’s Magpies subsequently won on penalties.
Anthony Elanga (knock) and Jacob Murphy (hamstring) could return if pass late fitness checks.
Dan Burn (rib/lung), Jamaal Lascelles (muscle), Emil Krafth (knee), Fabian Schar (ankle) and William Osula (ankle) remain absent.
Man City will welcome Rayan Ait-Nouri back after Algeria’s Quarter-Final exit against Nigeria at Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias (both hamstring), Josko Gvardiol (leg), John Stones (thigh), Omar Marmoush (international duty), Mateo Kovacic (foot) and Savinho (calf) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Man City at St James’ Park on Tuesday 13 January at 8pm GMT, live on ITV1 and Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won two of their six previous League Cup meetings against Man City (W2, D1, L3).
- Man City have won two of their three previous League Cup visits to Newcastle (W2, L1).
- Each of Newcastle’s home defeats against City in the League Cup were by 2-0 results.
- Newcastle have kept a single clean sheet in this season’s Carabao Cup (W3).
- Man City have won each of their three ties in this season’s competition by a two-goal margin, which saw them claim 2-0 wins over Huddersfield and Brentford amidst a 3-1 fourth-round victory at Swansea.
Prediction
Having came from behind at various stages in their last two games across different competitions, Newcastle certainly can’t be underestimated because they are a gutsy team with Harvey Barnes in top form, but this is a tough tie where they will need to be much defensively better.
Man City though do feel like a tricky team to call because they absolutely thrashed Exeter in a ruthless FA Cup display but it isn’t always easy to transition from such a performance against weak opposition to tougher opponents, especially given that they lost their league trip to the Magpies in November.
With that in mind, I expect both teams to bring their attacking game which will leave gaps at the back that I can see Newcastle capitalising upon with their wide play, but a draw would suit City heading into the second leg at home where the Magpies don’t have a strong record.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Man City
Result: Newcastle 0-2 Man City
Leave a Reply