Newcastle United are defending the title, but it looks as though they will not even reach the final at Wembley Stadium. It would take something special for them to overturn a two-goal deficit against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City
The winter signings made by Manchester City are already justifying themselves. Antoine Semenyo, signed for €75 million, has already scored four goals across three competitions. It was he who opened the scoring at St James' Park in the EFL Cup and he almost delivered a win over Tottenham Hotspur that Sunday, but the hosts came back from 0:2 down. Rayan Cherki also found the net. In recent weeks Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush have both been on the scoresheet as well. Whoever is selected to play at the Etihad Stadium is clearly capable of breaking down Newcastle United's defence.
Newcastle United
At 0:1 there would still have been some hope, but Newcastle United squandered a neat move down their right flank in the 98th minute, and Rayan Cherki made the scoreline final. The hosts actually created enough good chances (three in total) to open the scoring, but most of them were wasted by Yoane Wissa, who started the match. That showed why it is almost always Nick Woltemade, rather than him, who plays. If Eddie Howe wants his side to progress, he should select the German player from the start.
Manchester City vs Newcastle United Prediction
Newcastle United may produce something similar to their recent performance in Paris against Paris Saint-Germain (1:1), but the same Nick Pope who saved a penalty from Ousmane Dembélé can at another moment commit a clear error, as he did in the last round of the Premier League against Liverpool, which led to a heavy 1:4 defeat. We are convinced that the visitors will concede more than once and that Manchester City will win.
