Verdict: Rayan Cherki over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to finish the job and book their spot in the final of this season’s EFL Cup, Manchester City will welcome Newcastle to the Etihad on Wednesday night.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, suffering a major collapse away at Spurs on Sunday afternoon as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 draw in north London, that result could be the final nail in Manchester City’s title dreams. Now sat six points adrift of runaway leaders Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s men are desperately trying to find some kind of stability. Hit with an infamous 3-1 Champions League drumming away at Bodo/Glimt on January 20th, the former Barcelona boss has seen his inconsistent squad register just four wins from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions. However, landing a crucial first-leg advantage last month as they clinched a 2-0 victory at St. James’ Park, the Sky Blues are sat firmly in the driving seat to book their ticket to Wembley.

Manchester City Team News

Both dealing with respective thigh injuries, Man City will once again be without the duo of Ruben Dias and England international John Stones. Likewise, suffering a broken leg last month, former RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

Completing a permanent switch from Crystal Palace during the January transfer window, Marc Guehi will start at the heart of Guardiola’s defence. Former Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford should be handed another rare start between the sticks and will replace Italian skipper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Newcastle

As for the visitors, while Newcastle might have found themselves at the heart of a real flurry on either side of opening 2026, Eddie Howe’s side have shown their own glaring inconsistencies. Last seen over the weekend getting blown away at Anfield as they slumped to a 4-1 drumming against reigning Premier League champions Liverpool, the former Bournemouth boss has seen his squad register just a single win from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Despite punching a Champions League knockout stage ticket over in Paris last week, Newcastle have shown some glaring domestic issues away from St. James’ Park. In what is a remarkable run, the Magpies have recorded just a pair of domestic victories outside of Tyneside since way back in January 2025.

Newcastle Team News

Suffering what could be a season-ending ankle injury last month and undergoing surgery, Swiss defender Fabian Schar will not feature here. Likewise, missing out at Anfield on Saturday night with his own respective ankle issue, skipper Bruno Guimaraes remains a major doubt in midweek.

Despite drawing a blank in 16 of his previous 17 appearances across all competitions, big-money summer recruit Nick Woltemade could be handed a full recall. Left as an unused substitute against Liverpool over the weekend, Dutch defender Sven Botman should return at the heart of Howe’s defence.

Manchester City vs Newcastle Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester City and Newcastle met for their first-leg showdown at St. James’ Park on January 13th, the Sky Blues collected a 2-0 victory.
• Guardiola’s men have recorded just a quartet of wins from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions.
• Newcastle have mustered just a sole win from any of their last six outings across all fronts.
• The Magpies have remarkably recorded just a pair of domestic wins away from St. James’ Park over the past nine months.
• Newcastle have not recorded a single victory in the blue half of Manchester since way back in October 2014.

Conclusion

Suffering a major collapse away in north London on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City are desperate to claim an immediate response here. Clinching a first-leg 2-0 victory when they travelled to St. James’ Park for their first-leg showdown on January 13th, Guardiola’s men will also be excited to make a return to home soil on Wednesday night. Watching Newcastle remarkably muster just a pair of domestic wins outside of Tyneside over the past nine months, City are installed as a standout contender to punch their ticket to Wembley.

Verdict: Rayan Cherki over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster