Newcastle host Man City in the EFL Cup semi-final showdown

Cup holders Newcastle United welcomes Manchester City to St James’ Park for the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final tie on Tuesday night.

Newcastle are fresh off a 7-6 penalty shootout victory over Bournemouth in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

The Magpies entered the competition at the third round stage, beating Bradford City 4-1 in a comprehensive victory. Then victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham secured their place in the last four of the League Cup.

City battered Exeter City 10-1 to secure a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup last time out. Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Huddersfield Town, Swansea City and Brentford to advance to the semi-final stage.

Match preview

Newcastle have won each of their last nine matches in the EFL Cup and are looking to stretch that winning streak to double figures here.

Excluding penalty shoot-out wins, only Liverpool (11 between 1994/1995) and Arsenal (10 between 1987/1988) have ever enjoyed longer winning streaks in the competition.

Eddie Howe’s side have already beaten City 2-1 in the Premier League this season; they have not beaten them twice in the same campaign since 1983/84.

The Magpies have also won their last two EFL Cup ties against the Citizens – 2-0 in October 2014 and 1-0 in September 2023.

However, City have knocked out the EFL Cup holders the last two times they have faced them, beating Birmingham City 2-0 in September 2011 and Liverpool 3-2 in December 2022.

And they have progressed from each of their last six EFL Cup semi-final ties, going on to win the trophy each time. They last fell at this stage in 2011/12, against eventual winners Liverpool.

This is Manchester City’s first EFL Cup semi-final since their fourth successive League Cup triumph in the 2020-21 season.

Newcastle have won 10 and drawn three of their last 13 games at St James’ Park.

Team news

Newcastle United

Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth, William Osula and Jamaal Lascelles are unavailable due to injuries.

While Anthony Elanga is a doubt for this fixture due to a knock.

Manchester City

Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Mateo Kovacic Oscar Bobb and Savinho are sidelined with injuries.

Predicted line-ups

Newcastle United: Ramsdale, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Gordon, Woltemade, Barnes, Wissa.

Manchester City: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, O’Reilly, Gonzalez, Cherki, Foden, Reijnders, Doku, Haaland.