Tue Jan 13 19:30:00 UTC 2026: ### Newcastle United and Manchester City Face Off in Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg

The Story:

Newcastle United is set to host Manchester City in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at St James’ Park on January 13, 2026. This highly anticipated match pits the current holders of the trophy, Newcastle, against a Manchester City side eager to reclaim their dominance. Both teams enter the match with recent form that can be described as unpredictable, with Newcastle boasting a strong home record and Manchester City struggling to maintain consistency in the Premier League. The match promises tactical intrigue, with both managers acknowledging the challenges in preparing for each other’s strategies.

Key Points:

  • The match is the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final between Newcastle United and Manchester City.
  • The game takes place at St James’ Park, where Newcastle is currently unbeaten in 13 home games.
  • Newcastle manager Eddie Howe made seven changes to his starting lineup from the previous game against Bournemouth.
  • Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made five changes to his starting lineup.
  • Key Newcastle players, including Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, and Tino Livramento, are unavailable due to injuries.
  • Manchester City also face injury absentees, including Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Josko Gvardiol.
  • Michael Carrick has been confirmed as the interim manager for Manchester United until the end of the season.
  • Goalkeeping news suggests James Trafford might join Newcastle from Manchester City in the summer.

Key Takeaways:

  • Newcastle’s strong home form presents a significant challenge for Manchester City in the first leg.
  • Injuries on both sides will likely influence the tactical approaches and team selections.
  • The match could be a pivotal moment in both teams’ seasons, with a place at Wembley at stake.
  • The match is broadcast live on Sky Sports.
  • The high number of changes to the starting lineups suggests that both managers are prioritizing squad rotation to manage player fitness.

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