After another bonkers game at St James' Park on Saturday, Newcastle are back in action on Tuesday night for our fourth home games in just 10 days.
It's been a hectic start to 2026, in more ways than one, but a successful one so far, seeing us beat Crystal Palace 2-0 and Leeds 4-3 before a shootout victory over Bournemouth in the FA Cup third round.
120 minutes of football was probably the last thing this injury-hit squad needed while Man City strolled to a 10-1 win over Exeter that same afternoon. However, it's another win, another hurdle overcome and one that keeps the momentum building heading into Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
Fatigue levels are a concern and we've been left threadbare at the back, but with a win over Man City earlier this season and 11 wins (and two draws) from our last 13 at home, we come into this one with genuine belief as we bid to defend our the cup.
Speaking ahead of the game during Monday's press conference, Eddie Howe said:
"They (Man City) are a very difficult team to play against, they always change things up tactically, a difficult team to plan and prepare for. The priority is what we do and how we can hurt them. We need to give the best account of ourselves."
"Physical levels and energy levels are of the up most importance for this game. We will have to make decisions based on that.
"This is a huge challenge, some players have just played 120 minutes and then a few days later are being asked to go again, but I’d like to think, physically and mentally, come kick-off we will be ready to go again."
Fabian Schar (ankle) and Tino Livramento (hamstring) are both facing spells on the sidelines, but Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga could return.
Dan Burn, Will Osula, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles remain out, leaving us light on defensive cover and needing to recover after another quick turnaround between games.
For Man City, captain Ruben Dias and centre-back partner Josko Gvardiol are both missing, but a change in Carabao Cup rules will allow new signing Antoine Semenyo to play.
IN: Pope, Miley, Hall, Bruno, Joelinton, Gordon.
I think Pope will return despite Ramsdale's penalty heroics and expect Miley and Hall to return at full-back, with Trippier looking off the pace on Saturday and Livramento injured.
In midfield, Bruno and Joelinton will return, and you'd expect Tonali to keep his place despite giving his all for 120 minutes on Saturday.
In attack, I think Wissa's pace and movement could be Howe's preference against an injury-hit Man City back line, with the in-form Barnes on the right and Gordon down the left.
I'm sure we'll be up for it and high energy from the off, but how we manage to maintain that after such an energy-sapping week is the big question.
We must also improve defensively, as Haaland, Foden, Doku and Cherki could have a field day if we don't improve on the showings that saw us concede six against Leeds and Bournemouth last week.
At the other end, however, City are missing their two starting centre-backs and may struggle to deal with our physicality in midfield and/or pace in attack.
So, all in all, I can see us starting well and scoring a couple, I just fear for us defensively, where we'll need to be far more organised to keep out a potent City attack.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Man City
Howay the lads!
