Prediction: Newcastle vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City to qualify 

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

In what is a heavyweight EFL Cup tie on Wednesday night, Newcastle will welcome Manchester City to St. James’ Park.

Newcastle

Starting with the hosts, while Newcastle might have struggled to find much Premier League fluidity when opening up the new campaign last month, Eddie Howe’s high-flying squad certainly laid down a remarkable marker over the weekend. Putting in a famous performance away at top-flight returners Sheffield United as they stormed their way to an 8-0 victory, the former Bournemouth boss will find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Making real history last season as they clinched a first top-four finish in almost two decades, the Magpies will be excited to make a return to St. James’ Park here. Opening up their famous Champions League adventure with a gritty 0-0 stalemate away at Italian giants AC Milan last weekend, Howe will be impressed by his side’s recent improvements at the back. Marking their return from September’s international break with a 1-0 victory at home against Brentford, Wednesday’s hosts have kept a clean sheet in each of their previous three appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Still dealing with a recent knee injury that he picked up during September’s international break, Joelinton will not feature on Wednesday night. The ex-Hoffenheim star will be joined on the sidelines by the duo of Joe Willock and Emil Krafth.

Making the move from Chelsea this summer on an initial loan basis, Lewis Hall is expected to make his first appearance start at St. James’ Park. Likewise, with Howe expected to make a handful of changes, Sandro Tonali will be hoping to get a few more minutes under his belt here.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, writing their own piece of history last season as they became the first English club since 1999 to be crowned treble champions, Manchester City have only continued from where they left off earlier in the year. Once again flying out of the traps since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, Pep Guardiola’s side are enjoying yet another remarkable flurry. Last seen over the weekend picking up a 2-0 victory at home against Nottingham Forest, the ex-Barcelona boss has seen his squad win each of their first six Premier League appearances. Still the only top-flight club that can boast a 100% start to proceedings, the Sky Blues have also continued to shine with their free-scoring performances in the final third. Along with getting their European adventure underway with a turnaround 3-1 win against Red Star Belgrade last week, Guardiola’s side have notched 19 strikes in their opening seven showdowns across all competitions.

Team News

Shown a straight red card against Nottingham Forest over the weekend, Manchester City will travel to St. James’ Park without midfield talisman Rodri. The Sky Blues will also be without the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

However, returning from a knock and making a brief second-half cameo appearance over the weekend, England international Jack Grealish could make a first start since the end of August. Likewise, ex-Leeds star Kalvin Phillips will be hoping to play some part on Wednesday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on August 19th, Manchester City picked up a 1-0 victory at the Etihad.
• Likewise, the Sky Blues are unbeaten in each of their previous 10 meetings against Wednesday’s hosts – a run that stems back to January 2019.
• Guardiola’s side have recorded a clean sheet in three of their previous four Premier League meetings against the Magpies.
• Along with bagging a remarkable eight goals away at Sheffield United over the weekend, Newcastle have kept a clean sheet in each of their previous three appearances.
• Manchester City have suffered just a single domestic defeat away from the Etihad since the start of February.

Conclusion

Storming their way to that record-breaking 8-0 romp away at Sheffield United over the weekend, Newcastle will be desperate to lay down a major EFL Cup marker here. However, although Howe’s side might have made some recent improvements at the back since returning from September’s international break, the Magpies will know that they face a stern examination in the north east. With Manchester City flying out of the traps and winning each of their opening six Premier League appearances, Guardiola’s squad have certainly cemented their spot as Europe’s most dominant club side. Landing a 1-0 win when they welcomed Newcastle to the Etihad last month and unbeaten in each of their previous 10 meetings against Wednesday’s hosts, we are backing City to extend on their EFL Cup adventure here.

Verdict: Manchester City to qualify 

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet