Carabao Cup Match Preview – Newcastle United vs Manchester City
Written by Liam Brusby on 27th September 2023

Image Credit – Alamy / Nick Potts
Newcastle United look to continue their run of good form as they take on Manchester City in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
The Magpies return to St James’ Park this week for back-to-back home games with the first playing host to eight-time Carabao Cup Winners Manchester City.
Head to Head
This is the second meeting between The Magpies and the Citizens, with the latter running out 1-0 winners at the Etihad in August.
In the last meeting at St James’ Park, fans were treated to a thrilling 3-3 draw which saw six different goal-scorers. Newcastle’s record against City though, makes for grim reading for Toon supporters – with Newcastle’s last win against Manchester City coming way in January 2019.
The two sides last meeting in the Carabao Cup came nine years ago, with the Magpies running out 2-0 winners at the Etihad through goals from Rolando Aarons and Moussa Sissoko.
Form
Despite starting the season with an unusually leaky defence, Eddie Howe’s side have kept clean sheets in their previous three fixtures, including a goalless draw at the San Siro against AC Milan and an 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United last Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side meanwhile have carried last season’s treble-winning form into this season – currently unbeaten, with notable wins coming against West Ham and Sevilla.
Who’s Missing?
Both sides have been no stranger to injuries this season, with a number of key players set to miss the fixture.
Newcastle are without Joe Willock (achilles), Joelinton (knee) and Emil Krafth (knee) who has been out with injury since September 2022.
The Magpies will also be without Harvey Barnes, who limped off with a foot injury against Sheffield United.
City meanwhile will be without Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring), John Stones (muscular) and Bernardo Silva (unknown)
Officials
Chris Kavanagh will take charge of Wednesday’s game, he will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Matthew Wilkes, with Sam Allison as the fourth official.

Newcastle celebrate going 1-0 up during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James’s Park, Newcastle on Tuesday 10th January 2023. (Credit: Robert Smith | MI News) Credit: MI News & Sport /Alamy Live News
Where can you watch the game?
Fans can watch the game live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event from 7pm, kick-off is at 8pm.
Managers Thoughts
Speaking to the press about the Carabao Cup, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said “It’s an important competition for us. Last year was amazing for us. We started against Tranmere, which was an incredibly difficult game. It seems a long time ago now, but you have to go to some tough places in the early rounds.”
He added: “Now we’ve got the ultimate test coming up in the (third) round this year so it’s a totally different tie to last year, but we will give it every importance.”
“We will try as hard as we can to progress because we want to try and compete in every competition. We’re certainly not dismissing it as anything other than the most important game.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has his sights set on squad rotation and other competitions, saying “At the beginning of the season there are always five or six players who don’t play regularly and this competition is perfect.”
“That’s when everyone is fit. But now it’s an exceptional situation, we have a lot of players injured or with a lot of minutes in their legs. They have to rest. Wolves, Leipzig and Arsenal are much more important.
Fans Opinions
Newcastle Fans TV Presenter Andrew N, 26 said, “I would expect to see a heavily rotated squad tonight, where available of course. I think we can expect to see Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall get some real minutes.”
“I’m devastated for Harvey Barnes having a setback so early into his time at the club; but hopefully he can come back hitting the ground running upon his return, his absence now leaves Anthony Gordon as the only fit out and out left winger at the club so expect to see him in most starting lineups.”
Speaking about Guardiola’s comments about the competition wasting players energy he added “Pep’s ironic comments towards wasting energy in the Carabao was surprising, being a competition they’ve won so many times recently.”
“He’s a master of mind games so wouldn’t be surprised to see a few of City’s stars start. However, them missing Rodri after Saturday’s rare spark of anger leading to his straight red could play massively into our hands.”
He concluded with “I’m predicting an NUFC win, most likely through penalties.”
Lewis Bowden, Producer of the Pitchside Podcast said “I think we will put out as strong of a team as possible, but we will need to rotate so players like Livramento, Murphy could easily start.”
“(Guardiola) is just a mind games master, the only thing he has left to do in English football is with the quadruple, and to do that he needs the League Cup. A weak Man City side is still better than 90% of the league.”
“Overall I think home advantage will be huge, we will attack Manchester City a lot more compared to when we played them at the Etihad”
YouTube content creator and Newcastle Fan ‘Roobenstein’ also spoke to Spark ahead of the game.