• Match: Newcastle United vs Manchester City
• Competition: EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) semi-final — first leg
• Venue: St James’ Park
• Kick-off: 8:00pm UK / 1:30am IST

The team news is in for Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City, and there are talking points across both selections. City arrive on Tyneside with Erling Haaland leading the line, while Rodri is listed among the substitutes — a notable decision given how often Guardiola’s side looks most controlled with him on the pitch.

Newcastle, meanwhile, lean into a physical and technically strong midfield spine, built around Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, with Anthony Gordon and Yoane Wissa providing the running power in the forward line. With this being a two-leg tie, the first 90 minutes can set the tone — not just for the result, but for what both managers decide to protect (or gamble) in the return fixture.

For a quick refresher on the competition format and schedule, the EFL’s official Carabao Cup hub is the best reference point: EFL Carabao Cup.

Newcastle starting XI (4-3-3)

GK: Nick Pope

DEF: Lewis Hall, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Lewis Miley

MID: Jacob Ramsey, Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton

ATT: Jacob Murphy, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon

Newcastle substitutes

Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Joe Willock, Alex Murphy, Sean Neave

Manchester City starting XI (4-1-4-1)

GK: James Trafford

DEF: Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Max Alleyne, Nathan Aké

DM: Nico O’Reilly

MID: Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva (C), Jérémy Doku

ST: Erling Haaland

Manchester City substitutes

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rodri, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Roméo McAidoo, Claudio Gray, Divine Mukasa, Rico Lewis

What the line-ups tell us

Newcastle’s selection suggests they want to compete aggressively in central areas and then break quickly into the channels. With Guimarães and Joelinton operating as the core, Newcastle can press hard, win second balls, and spring Gordon or Wissa into space. The presence of Trippier, Tonali and Barnes on the bench also gives Howe multiple ways to change the game if the first leg opens up late on.

City’s choice to start Haaland is the clearest statement: they want an away-leg foothold that can be defended in the return match. The other headline is Rodri on the bench — a move that could be interpreted as load management, or a tactical plan to keep a trump card if the match becomes chaotic. In front of O’Reilly, the midfield line-up points to a blend of ball security and acceleration, with Foden and Doku ready to attack gaps as soon as Newcastle’s press is bypassed.

If you’re following live match coverage and broadcast details in the UK, major broadcasters typically carry semi-final nights — and Sky Sports Football is a reliable hub for listings, team news and live updates.

Key battles to watch

• Newcastle midfield vs City’s pivot: Can Guimarães and Joelinton overwhelm City’s build-up, especially if Rodri stays on the bench for long spells?
• Gordon’s running vs City’s back line: If Newcastle win turnovers high up, Gordon’s direct pace could force City into emergency defending.
• Haaland’s duels in the box: In two-legged ties, one away goal can reshape the entire second leg — and City have the ultimate penalty-box finisher.

This first leg may begin conservatively — as semi-finals often do — but one early breakthrough could turn it into a game of momentum and substitutions. Newcastle’s bench carries energy and experience; City’s carries elite game-changers. The best two-leg teams tend to manage both tempo and emotion — and St James’ Park will test that immediately.