Preview: Newcastle United vs. Manchester City
Fresh from thrashing Sheffield United 8-0 at Bramall Lane, Newcastle United welcome Manchester City to St James’ Park in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
While the Magpies humiliated the Blades last time out, Man City claimed a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest to extend their winning start to the 2023-24 campaign.
Records tumbled as Newcastle put eight past Sheffield United on Sunday, with eight different players scoring in a Premier League game for the first time in history, while the Magpies also secured their biggest away victory of the Premier League era.
Goals from Sean Longstaff, Dan Burn and Sven Botman put the Magpies firmly in control before half time, while Callum Wilson, Anthony Gordon, Miguel Almiron, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak all scored after the break to complete the demolition of the Blades.
Eddie Howe’s side experienced a below-par start to the season, losing three of their opening four matches, but they have turned things around in recent weeks, with a 1-0 victory over Brentford and a goalless draw against AC Milan preceding Sunday’s record-breaking win.
All of a sudden, Newcastle look like the team that reached last season’s EFL Cup final while securing a top-four finish in the Premier League, meaning that Howe’s men will fancy their chances of halting Manchester City’s winning start to the season.
Preview: Newcastle vs. Man City – prediction, team news, lineups
When Man City raced into a 2-0 lead inside 14 minutes on Saturday, it looked as though Nottingham Forest would suffer another heavy defeat at the Etihad Stadium, but a moment of madness from Rodri saw the hosts take their foot off the gas.
Less than a minute into the second half, Rodri was sent off following an altercation with Morgan Gibbs-White, meaning that City played the rest of the game with 10 men, although Guardiola’s side still managed to keep a clean sheet en route to victory.
Consequently, the champions are the only team in the Premier League with a 100% record this season, having kicked off their campaign with six successive wins, while goalkeeper Ederson has conceded just three goals to help Man City achieve the best defensive record in the division.
It is worth remembering that City have lifted the EFL Cup in six of the previous 10 seasons, clinching four consecutive triumphs between 2018 and 2021, so Guardiola and his players know exactly what it takes to go all the way in the competition.
Newcastle United form (all competitions):
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Manchester City form (all competitions):
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We say: Newcastle United 1-2 Manchester City
Buoyed by Sunday’s demolition of Sheffield United, Newcastle will be confident of picking up where they left off at Bramall Lane, but Man City will have other ideas.
Although we expect the Magpies to give Guardiola’s men a run for their money, we can see City flexing their muscles and booking their place in the next round via a narrow victory.