A place in the EFL Cup final is up for grabs when Man City and Newcastle meet at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, with the hosts already having one foot at Wembley.
A 2-0 win in the first leg at St James’ Park has put Pep Guardiola’s men in the box seat heading into the second-leg.
Newcastle have a terrible record at the Etihad and it’s hard to see that changing to such an extent that they can overturn the deficit. We have suggested a four-leg accumulator to consider for Wednesday’s clash, which will return at 16/1, if successful.
Man City vs Newcastle Bet Builder
Man City to win @ 4/5
Both Teams to Score @ 11/20
Anytime Goalscorer – Antoine Semenyo @ 6/4
To be Booked – Abdukodir Khusanov @ 5/2
Pays out at 16/1
City can continue Newcastle record
It’s an understatement to say the Etihad has not been a happy hunting ground for Newcastle, who haven’t won at City’s home ground since October 2014.
It’s even worse than that stat suggests, though, with the Magpies losing on their last 11 visits and they haven’t even managed to score in the last seven of those meetings.
With City’s recent problems at the back though, Eddie Howe will feel his side can cause issues for the hosts, as the cup holders look to overturn the two-goal deficit.
They might not look secure at the back, but City’s attacking threat remains, with Guardiola’s men averaging 2.04 goals per game in the Premier League.
Leg 1: Manchester City to win @ 3/4
Magpies’ pace can cause hosts problems
Newcastle got on the scoresheet at both PSG and Liverpool last week and scored twice when they faced Man City at St James’ in the league back in November.
Howe’s side had 10 shots in the first leg and will feel they should have at least halved City’s advantage on home soil.
Both teams have scored in three of the last six meetings between the sides and with a place at Wembley at stake, you would expect both to throw numbers forward.
Leg 2 – Both Teams to Score @ 11/20
Semenyo already catching the eye
Man City’s swoop for Antoine Semenyo was arguably the deal of the January window, with the Ghana international quickly establishing himself in Guardiola’s plans.
The former Bournemouth man has already scored five times in six appearances in all competitions for the Citizens, including a goal in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham.
Semenyo also scored in the first leg on Tyneside, whilst having another ruled out controversially by VAR, and bagged two goals against Newcastle during his time with the Cherries.
Leg 3 – Anytime Goalscorer – Antoine Semenyo @ 6/4
Khusanov looks a good caution option
City’s defensive uncertainty was again highlighted at Spurs, giving up a two-goal lead to eventually share the spoils.
With Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol still sidelined by injury, new signing Marc Guehi has been thrown straight into the back four.
The England centre-back has been paired with Abdukodir Khusanov, who at 21 is still learning a lot about his game and English football.
The Uzbek international has committed two fouls in both of City’s last two league games, against Tottenham and Wolves, and it would not be a surprise to see Newcastle target the former Lens man.
Leg 4 – To be Booked – Abdukodir Khusanov @ 5/2
