Newcastle’s third away game in the space of a week, and this might just be the toughest given the task at hand.
After coming on strong in a 1-1 draw in Paris, then collapsing at Anfield (4-1) despite such a promising start, we must know overturn a 2-0 deficit at the Etihad if we’re to progress through to this season’s Carabao Cup final.
Considering our away form this season, Eddie Howe’s head-to-head record against Pep Guardiola and the absence of Bruno, Joelinton and Miley, it may take a mini miracle to pull this off. But, you just never know with this side, especially if we can score that all important first goal.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s game in Manchester, Howe said:
“Part of the Liverpool performance, for the first 30/35 minutes was very strong. Against Paris we had a strong performance all the way through, barring the first 20 minutes. Put those two together and we’ve got an outstanding chance.
Firstly we have to try and win the game. If we have that mentality that we’re going to try and get all the disciplines of our game in a good place and attack the game, let’s see what we can do.”
Team news
Bruno Guimaraes (ankle) looks set to miss out again, along with Lewis Miley (knee), but Sven Botman is ‘OK’ and could return in defence after sitting out Saturday’s defeat at Anfield.
Joelinton remains out with a groin issue, while Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth will be missing.
For Man City, Ruben Dias could return after resuming training, but Josko Gvardiola is out along with Jeremy Doku. Rayan Cherki will be assessed after picking up a knock in City’s 2-2 draw at Spurs on Sunday.
Predicted XI
(3-4-2-1): Pope – Thiaw, Botman, Burn – Murphy, Tonali, Ramsey, Hall – Barnes, Gordon – Wissa,
OUT: Trippier, Willock, Elanga.
IN: Botman, Murphy, Wissa.
Match prediction
I think we’ll score, but I have little to no faith in us pulling off the result required to book our third trip to Wembley in our last four seasons.
City did let a 2-0 lea slips at Spurs on Sunday, which should give us hope, I just can’t see us having enough at either end on a night where we’ll have to be near perfect without our captain.
Prediction: Man City 2-1 Newcastle
Howay the lads!
Do you dare to dream????
They really aren’t great at the moment & we have to learn from Spurs at the weekend.
IF we can get an early goal and IF we are in their faces & give them no time on the ball – stranger things have happened 🤷🏼♂️.
God I nearly bought into that 😳🤩
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s what they call a dead rubber game imo.
But some can dream.
Joseph(Quote)
Expect nothing and you won’t be disappointed! 😂😂🤷🏻♂️. Let’s see.
2-0 to us and through on pens! (I think I need to see a doctor)… 😬😬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
There are two states of mind, Those that ‘hope’ to win and Those that ‘want’ to win. I have seen it in a range of sports more so in internationals. If we want it enough we can upset anyone. We have to remember this is only half time in this match and we have ninety more minutes to play. HWTL.
nutmag(Quote)
Not a chance in he ll
kimtoon(Quote)
No chance, rotate the squad, use it as a chance for W&W up front and see if we can at least put in a good performance. It’s the kind of season where nicking a win isn’t impossible, but winning 3-0 in normal time isn’t going to happen.
Newkie(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh well
kimtoon(Quote)
We are playing like schoolboys 🤬🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
There must be a youth player that is better than tripps, all the goals come down his side. It’s embarrassing watching him try to run back. And he offers so little going forward – basically little comparative risk giving a youth player a go
Howe the toon(Quote)
All over 😡😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I could play better than Tripps right now.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Trippier playing them onside and then doling it up 😤
Howe the toon(Quote)
wow embarrassing
kimtoon(Quote)
Do you recon we may see a sub before the 68th min?
Howe the toon(Quote)
What a bunch of F..king clowns. My god, we’re so absolute dog turd bad
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So, we’re out of the cup. I guess we were effectively out when we lost 2-0 at home. But I just cannot believe how poor we have been in that first half. Trafford has made a few saves but we are getting smashed to pieces .
Gilly Toon(Quote)
And Gordon off with a hamstring. If only we had a transfer window for reinforcements! 🙄🤷🏻♂️
Gilly Toon(Quote)
The quality of our passing is so poor. Got to be one of the worst in the league at passing.
Our movement (both attacking and defending) is rubbish – so often flat. Which means with the ball there aren’t many options and without the ball they just pass it through us.
And why are we playing three CBs when they have no striker..
Howe the toon(Quote)
Elanga scores
kimtoon(Quote)
Elanga scores … just the 5 needed now then.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Brilliant. Well done Elanga. He’s been getting better – let’s hope that’s a big catalyst and he should get more opportunities now with Gordon out
Howe the toon(Quote)
Weird game, we haven’t actually played that badly just some shocking defensive laps. Made a few chances just nobody to put them away, familiar feeling..with Gordon out maybe we can play Elanga up front after that finish!
Newkie(Quote)
Lapses*
Newkie(Quote)
What a crock of absolute dog sh.ite.
Gilly Toon(Quote)