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Newcastle vs Manchester City Preview & Tips - Newcastle to give City real problems in EFL Cup semi-final first-leg

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By Ben Darvill
12 Jan 2026
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Ben Darvill 12 Jan 2026
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  • Newcastle are unbeaten in two of their last three against Manchester City
  • The Magpies have seen both teams score in two of their three EFL Cup matches
  • Preview, stats & head to head
Erling Haaland of Manchester City (Getty Images)
Erling Haaland of Manchester City (Getty Images)

Newcastle vs Manchester City Preview & Tips  


Newcastle are looking to take a big step towards defending their EFL Cup crown as they take on Manchester City in the first-leg of their semi-final this week. 

Manchester City are still on for the quadruple this season, but they will face a real test in their EFL Cup semi-final as they take on a stubborn Newcastle at St James’ Park. 

  • The Magpies have scored and failed to keep a clean sheet in two of their three in the EFL Cup 
  • City have failed to win on their last two trips to St James Park (L1, D1)

Head To Head


The Magpies have won two of their last 10 against City, with the latter winning six times and two games ending as draws. 

Newcastle Form

 
Newcastle have looked good of late, with a string of solid performances across competitions seeing their hopes of securing silverware this year enhanced. 

Since their stunning 1-0 loss to Sunderland back in mid-December, they have only lost one of their next seven, winning four times, drawing once and beating Bournemouth on penalties in the FA Cup at the weekend. They also arrive for this one on the back of a four-game winning run that has seen them win every match of 2026 so far when including their eventual win over Bournemouth on penalties. 

Manchester City arrive as the favourites, but this will do little to deter the home side from the task at hand. City have been poor at the back of late and while they create chances, they gift the opposition chances too. 

With this in mind, I predict that a Newcastle side that has scored 12 goals across their last four matches will get on the scoreboard as they hold City, meaning it is still all to play for heading into the second-leg. 

Manchester City Form 


Despite still being in the hunt for every trophy available to them, Manchester City seem to have hit a bit of a speedbump of late, with the side unable to kick on in the Premier League in particular. 

A comfortable 10-1 win over Exeter in the FA Cup does not hide their three consecutive draws in the league, with each of Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton ensuring City lost ground on Arsenal, who face Chelsea in the second EFL Cup semi-final. 

Their draw with Brighton was particularly worrying as it saw the away side continually exploiting space and having arguably the better chances. City’s leaky defence has become a feature of the side this season, with Pep Guardiola’s backline not as strong as it once way. 

With a patchy record on the road against Newcastle that has seen City draw and lose across their last two, I am backing City to get held once again. I predict they will also fail to keep a clean sheet as the Premier League sides head to the Etihad Stadium with the scores level. 

Verdict

I am backing this match to end in a draw as the pair both find the back of the net in the first-leg of their semi-final.

Best Bet1: BTTS Yes Both Teams To Score @-188.68 at Stake.com - 1 Unit
Best Bet2: Draw Match Result @270.00 at Stake.com - 1 Unit
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Draw
Match Result
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