Manchester City take on Newcastle United tonight at St. James Park in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie. Given how formidable Eddie Howe’s side can be to face in front of their passi...
Manchester City take on Newcastle United tonight at St. James Park in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie. Given how formidable Eddie Howe’s side can be to face in front of their passionate home support, a tough match awaits Pep Guardiola’s side. City were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle at St. James Park earlier this season and will know the size of the challenge that awaits them tonight. If they can put in a good performance tonight it can set them up for the second leg of the tie which takes place on the February 4 at the Etihad.
Here is the latest City injury news and my predicted City starting eleven ahead of tonight’s match.
Latest Manchester City injury news.
Once again, Manchester City have a plethora of players unavailable due to injury and international duty. Omar Marmoush is unavailable as Egypt’s AFCON journey continues. John Stones, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Oscar Bobb and Savinho will all miss tonight’s match due to injury.
In good news for Pep Guardiola’s side, Rayan Ait-Nouri has returned from AFCON duty following Algeria’s exit from the tournament. It remains unclear if Ait-Nouri will feature tonight as per Pep Guardiola’s update on the condition of his squad yesterday.
Predicted City starting eleven.
James Trafford: Pep Guardiola informed the media yesterday that Trafford will start in goal for tonight’s match. A big night awaits Trafford as if he can play well it could be crucial in tonight’s result.
Matheus Nunes: Nunes was rested against Exeter City and with the pace that Newcastle have up front I expect him to start at right-back.
Max Alleyne: Alleyne has been superb since returning from Watford. I believe he will start at centre-back tonight and he deserves to based on form.
Abdukodir Khusanov: Tonight seems made for Khusanov. The physical threat of Nick Woltemade needs to be quelled and he could be the right player for the job.
Nico O’Reilly: I believe that Nathan Ake will be rested from tonight’s match and that will see O’Reilly return at left-back.
Rodri: It is a toss-up between Nico and Rodri to start in midfield but I’ll give the nod to Rodri. Although I’d like to see Nico and Rodri start together given the strength of Newcastle’s midfield.
Bernardo Silva: I cannot see Pep Guardiola not selecting his captain in the starting lineup tonight.
Phil Foden: Foden was rested for City’s 10-1 win over Exeter City but I think he will start against Newcastle.
Rayan Cherki: A cup semi-final may be the perfect setting for Cherki to shine. I think he will start at St. James Park tonight.
Antoine Semenyo: Semenyo shone in his City debut and I think he’ll start against Newcastle.
Erling Haaland: I could see Jeremy Doku starting with Semenyo up front but I feel that Haaland will start tonight.
Category: General Sports
