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.”
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.
(3-4-2-1): Pope – Thiaw, Botman, Burn – Murphy, Tonali, Ramsey, Hall – Barnes, Gordon – Wissa,
OUT: Trippier, Willock, Elanga.
IN: Botman, Murphy, Wissa.
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!
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