It will not be easy and first leg matches can sometimes be quite cagey affairs as both sides want to stay in the game ahead of the all-important second leg. However, Manchester City head to Newcastle United for their **EFL Cup**semi final.
In the Quarter-finals, City won 2-0 against Brentford at home and Newcastle left it late to beat **Fulham**2-1.
Between 2018 and 2021, Pep Guardiola's side won the cup every year but Newcastle come into the game as the current holder's of the trophy. They beat Liverpool in the final last year on a historic day for the club and Eddie Howe's side will be looking to go all the way once again.
When the two sides met earlier in the season at St. James' Park, it was the Magpies who came out on top as they won 2-1, thanks to goals from Harvey Barnes.
A chance to bounce back?
In their last three Premier League games, City have dropped points with three consecutive draws.
They would have been expected to beat Exeter City and they comfortably did just that. However, this cup match against Newcastle will be a tough test for sure. It is unlikely that the tie will totally be decided at St James' as there will be the second leg to come but a good result here would put City in a great position to progress.
After stuttering in the Premier League title race in recent weeks, this game also could be viewed as a fresh start. It is a different competition and, possibly, a chance for the side to gain momentum and confidence ahead of their return to league action at the weekend.
First silverware of the season?
Guardiola will, rightly, point out that every game is important but there could be the feeling that City need to progress to the final in order to help the rest of the season.
It is a competition in which the side has had a lot of success and it is the chance to go through and compete for the first trophy of the season.
They will not be getting carried away and will know not to underestimate Newcastle. That said, if they progress and potentially set up a date with league leaders Arsenal it could be a final that could maybe have a slight influence on how the title race may play out later in the season.
Ultimately, City will want to be able to take positives from this game and use it to help them in the league too.
Antoine Semenyo is available to play
Due to a rule change this season, City's new signing from Bournemouth, Antoine Semenyo is available to be selected for the match despite having already featured for the Cherries in the competition earlier on.
Semenyo played and scored against Exeter so it was a good start for the attacker and City fans will be hoping that he is able to have a big impact throughout the rest of the season. He certainly has the potential to add some extra firepower and strength to their attack and he is having an impressive season so far. In his last game for Bournemouth against Tottenham Hotspur last week he found the net again.
Some key players will still be missing
City will be without Ruben Dias, John Stones and Josko Gvardiol in defence as al three are ruled out with injuries. This does leave them slightly short at the back. It looks likely that it will be a similar back four to the ones that started against Exeter and in the last league game against Brighton.
Youngster **Max Alleyne**will likely feature again at centre back, after being recalled from his loan spell at **Watford.**He also scored against Exeter and put in a good showing against Brighton on his debut.
It will be an interesting game and both sides will want the win. Arguably, being at home, there may be slightly more pressure on Newcastle in this first leg.
After scoring ten on Saturday, albeit against a weaker opposition, City will be confident going forward. With those injuries at the back and the second leg not being played until mid February, City may be happy to still very much be in the tie ahead of the return fixture and not need to put too much pressure on forcing the win if the game remains level. Therefore, this game may be a difficult one to predict.
By the end of February, both sides will be very familiar with each other as City also host the Premier League match between the two that month.