Manchester City welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi final.
Pep Guardiola’s team won 2-0 at St James’s Park, which means all City need to do is avoid defeat by a two goal margin or more to qualify for the next round.
But that’s far from a guarantee, considering City’s recent form being inconsistent at best, with the latest disappointing result being a 2-2 draw away to Tottenham Hotspur after dominating them in the first half.
Here are five things to look out for as City host the Magpies:
Changes from the Spurs game
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Omar Marmoush of Manchester City holds off tot14 during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Omar Marmoush of Manchester City holds off tot14 during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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City had a strong bench against Tottenham, and after a fair few players underperformed I could see Guardiola making a fair few alterations to his side.
Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo both had good first halves - Haaland setting up Rayan Cherki for his goal and Semenyo bagging one himself - but were both ineffective in the second period. I expect Omar Marmoush to start over one of them.
Speaking of Cherki, he’s a doubt with an injury that forced him off in the second half on Sunday (and sent him down twice in the first half too.)
Nico Gonzalez, Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders are excellent midfield options who can come into the team if needs be.
Rodri didn’t have his best game and also looked tired, whilst O’Reilly was one of City’s best performers against Spurs. If Nico isn’t fully fit, I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays to allow Rodri a rest.
Nathan Ake or Max Alleyne will also need to come in for Marc Guehi, who isn’t registered for the Carabao Cup.
The board spent well in January to provide Pep with a full squad for the second half of the season. They’re still competing on all fronts, and the whole squad will need to contribute if City are to win any trophies this season.
Newcastle weakened with injuries
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle goes down with an injury during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Newcastle United FC and PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park on January 21, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle goes down with an injury during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Newcastle United FC and PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park on January 21, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Eddie Howe’s side are weakened by injuries in the centre of their midfield.
Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley and Joelinton are all set to be sidelined for Newcastle, meaning a midfield three of Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey is their most likely outcome.
City, meanwhile, have an abundance of options there. Mateo Kovacic is a long term absentee and Cherki is a doubt, but all of Rodri, Nico, O’Reilly, Foden, Reijnders, Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva are available, and could line up in the centre of the park.
Nico coming back into the team
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Conor Gallagher of Tottenham Hotspur in action with Nico Gonzalez of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Conor Gallagher of Tottenham Hotspur in action with Nico Gonzalez of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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But I think the one most likely to play is Nico.
Ever since he initially went off injured at half time against Sunderland, City’s form has been wavy. Including that match, they’ve won just four of their last 10.
His fitness has been on and off since then, but now it appears he’s fully back and ready to feature again.
Nico is a vastly underrated midfielder who’s had an excellent season so far.
I expect the 24-year-old to start at the base of midfield against the Toon Army and impress, as he did almost a year ago now the last time they came to the Etihad Stadium.
The 4-2-2-2 system used again
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 1: Josep Guardiola manager of Manchester City gestures during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 1, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 1: Josep Guardiola manager of Manchester City gestures during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 1, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Guardiola seems to be trying a new system that worked well against Wolves and Galatasaray.
The attacking configuration involves two strikers, with the number tens behind them. The width is provided by the full backs and there are two holding players to control the game from deep.
Haaland worked well and scored in that role against Galatasaray, whereas against Wolves, it was Marmoush and Semenyo who grabbed a goal each from the front two.
If Cherki is fit, he can thrive playing as one of the two numbers tens, and it would also suit Reijnders, Foden and even O’Reilly.
Bernardo will probably start somewhere, but if not, we could finally see Rodri and Nico start in a game together for the first time.
O’Reilly and Rayan Ait-Nouri are good attacking full backs, whilst no-one matches Matheus Nunes’s output on the right hand side.
In a period of inconsistency for City, this tactic is showing signs of promise, and I expect them to try it again against Newcastle.
A place in the final for City
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Rayan Cherki of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Rayan Ait-Nouri during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Rayan Cherki of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Rayan Ait-Nouri during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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City are wildly inconsistent at the moment, but they know the job that needs to be done.
Newcastle have the pressure to retain their crown and will be desperately trying to put City on the front foot from the off.
If the Blues can hold off the torrent (which will be a big ask without Guehi, Ruben Dias, John Stones or Josko Gvardiol) and even nick a goal for themselves, they’ll be able to cruise through to their sixth Carabao Cup final in the last 11 years.