• Newcastle are unbeaten in their last 12 home games

• Manchester City have not kept a clean sheet on their last five trips to Newcastle

• Recommended bet: Newcastle draw no bet

Newcastle famously defeated Liverpool in the 2025 EFL Cup final and they are potentially three games away from a successful defence of the trophy, starting with the first of two matches against competition favourites Manchester City.

After so long without silverware, the Magpies seem determined to enjoy the experience more regularly.

They have battled through to the final four with home wins over Bradford (4-1), Tottenham (2-1) and Fulham (2-1) and should not be too fearful of City, who were vanquished 2-1 on their November league trip to Tyneside.

City were trophyless in 2024-25, but they have a strong record in the EFL Cup with four of their eight triumphs coming during Pep Guardiola's period in charge.

The Citizens are unbeaten in 12 matches across all competitions and warmed up for their trip to the north east with a 10-1 triumph at home to League One Exeter in the FA Cup third round.

The latest Newcastle United vs Manchester City odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

Anthony Elanga is a doubt and Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and William Osula are not expected to be available for Newcastle.

City are stretched with John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Dias, Savinho and Oscar Bobb in the treatment room and Omar Marmoush at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The stats

• Newcastle have scored at least two goals in each of their last 12 home fixtures

• The Magpies have won three of their last four matches

• Newcastle have started the scoring in five of their last seven games

• Four of Newcastle's last six games have generated at least four goals

• Four of Manchester City's last five matches have featured goals for both teams

• Each of City's last four away defeats have been by a single-goal margin

The latest Newcastle United vs Manchester City odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Newcastle triumphed 2-1 at home to Manchester City in the Premier League and they can achieve a similar outcome in the opening leg of their EFL Cup semi-final encounter.

The EFL Cup is a popular competition for City, who lifted the trophy four times in a row from 2018 to 2021.

But City have not reached the final in any of the last four seasons, and their chances of defeating Newcastle are hampered by several player absences.

Guardiola is on the lookout for defensive cover due to injuries sustained by Stones, Gvardiol and Dias.

City's weakened rearguard was not a factor when they defeated Exeter by a nine-goal margin, but they face a significantly tougher test against Newcastle, who can get their noses in front before next month's return match at the Etihad.

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The latest Newcastle United vs Manchester City odds are available on LiveScore Bet