Manchester City vs Newcastle Prediction: Magpies set for more Etihad misery

Manchester City have a two-goal lead to protect as they host Newcastle United on Wednesday (20:00 GMT, Sky Sports Main Event) for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

The Citizens were 2-0 winners at St. James' Park last month, so the visitors have a huge task on their hands. Read on for my Manchester City vs Newcastle predictions, aided by the latest match odds and team news.

Team News

Jeremy Doku (calf), Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture), John Stones (thigh), Mateo Kovacic (ankle/heel) and Savinho (unspecified) are all ruled out for Manchester City.

Ruben Dias is back in training following a hamstring issue he picked up a month ago, but he is not expected to come back into the side just yet.

James Trafford was in goal for the first leg, so Pep Guardiola is likely to stick with him here. Phil Foden will be hoping to feature to try and force his way back into the first XI.

Football Odds

Newcastle will assess captain Bruno Guimaraes' ankle injury, which has kept him out of the last three matches in all competitions. Lewis Miley and Sven Botman were also missing from the defeat at Liverpool on Saturday with ankle and thigh problems, respectively.

Joelinton (groin), Tino Livramento (hamstring), Fabian Schar (ankle) and Emil Krafth (knee) are confirmed absentees for Wednesday.

Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade started the weekend on the bench, so one of them is likely to come in and lead the line at the Etihad.

Today's Football Fixtures

Manchester City vs Newcastle Odds

Man City are the 5/6 (implied probability of 54.5%) favourites to win this clash in 90 minutes and they have won each of the past 11 meetings with Newcastle at the Etihad across all competitions.

City's last outing was a draw at Tottenham Hotspur and the stalemate here is priced at 16/5.

Newcastle are 11/4 to win in regulation time but they have won just on of their previous six fixtures in all competitions.

Both teams have scored in Newcastle's past two competitive matches heading into this contest. BTTS - Yes is valued at 4/7.

Match Result & Both Teams To Score - Manchester City & Yes @ 15/8

City should be feeling very confident with a two-goal advantage to take into their home leg. The onus will be on Newcastle because they will have to throw everything they have got to try and claw their way back into the tie.

The Magpies' form has dipped recently, with just one win in six matches across all competitions. The last three results have come with the Magpies missing skipper Bruno Guimaraes, and they are nowhere near as effective when he is out of the team.

In fact, they are yet to win a game in which he has missed, which further highlights his importance. Should he miss out again on Wednesday, I can't see how Newcastle can turn this tie on its head.

They looked fragile in their 4-1 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday, and City will look to exploit that. The hosts will also be looking for a response after they threw away a two-goal lead to draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Seeing as Man City have won each of their past 11 home games against Newcastle in all competitions, I think this trend will continue. I do see both teams scoring, though, as BTTS - Yes has struck in the visitors' last two matches coming into Wednesday, as well as City's latest result at Spurs over the weekend.

Player To Receive A Card - Anthony Gordon @ 5/2

Newcastle are the defending champions of the Carabao Cup, but their ambition to retain the title is fading. Eddie Howe's side have a huge job on their hands to turn things around in Manchester, and recent form suggests it will be incredibly difficult.

I think if the Magpies were to go a goal down early, we would start to see a lot of frustration from their players. Someone who is not always good at masking his emotions is Anthony Gordon, whom we often see fly into challenges recklessly.

He was booked after a late lunge on Liverpool shot-stopper Alisson at the weekend, and he was sent off against the Reds earlier in the season for a bad challenge on Virgil van Dijk.

A frustrated Gordon can be a liability for Newcastle, and I think 5/2 is good value for him to go into the book on Wednesday.

Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven

Pre-match single on First Goalscorer market in selected games. Paid in cash upon market settlement. 90 mins only. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Opt in & build your own Bet Builder (3/1+) of 3+ legs on Man City vs Newcastle and get a 30% cash Winnings Bonus if your bet wins!

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.