MANCHESTER CITY travel to Newcastle United for the Carabao Cup tie on Wednesday, but don't expect to see many of the European champions' top stars to be in Tyneside.
This would normally be an absolute cracker made even spicier by Newcastle's astonishing 8-0 record-breaking win at Sheffield United at the weekend.
It was the first time eight different scorers appeared on the scoresheet in the Premier League and was a glimpse of what this Newcastle team – who had not been near their best this season really – can do.
It would have all the more intriguing because City required a late goal to beat the hapless Blades at the same venue a few weeks ago.
But when 52-year-old Pep Guardiola jokes about playing himself at St James' Park, it tells you all you need to know for an already-depleted City, who are already without injured key players like Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva,
He's stated he won't risk players like Kyle Walker and Ruben Dias and surely Erling Haaland too and will use his Academy players.
Of course, City's Academy is arguably one of the best in the world so they will hardly be mugs either. The question is how seriously Eddie Hoew will treat it for the hosts.
How the bookies view it
Despite City's shadow squad, they are still regarded as favourites here at 27/20 at Coral the best price.
Newcastle can be backed at 21/10 at bet365. The draw is 13/5 with 888sport.
Recent head to heads
Newcastle fell to a 1-0 narrow defeat at the Etihad earlier this season. City are unbeaten in their last ten games against Newcatle.
Players to watch
Take your pick from any of Newcastle's eight goalscorers on Sunday! Alexander Isak was only a sub in Yorkshire and still came off the bench to score so may get a start on Wednesday. The Swede is 2/1 with Paddy Power to score anytime.
It's a tricky task to pick out a City player, but promising Norwegian midfielder Oscar Bott might get a start after being a fringe player this season so far. He is 4/1 with William Hill anytime.
Anything else catch the eye?
Newcastle simply have to be backed here, especially at what looks like a generous price, which would surely come in before kick off.
Ending their notorious lack of silverware is an obsession in Tyneside and this is a great chance of eliminating one of the favourites with Guadiola's disdain for the competition made clear.
The Toon could even win this by a couple if City do play their youngsters. Take a chance on Newcastle -1 at 21/4 with UniBet.
This EFL Cup match between Newcastle United and Manchester City will be played on Sep 26, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Newcastle United vs Manchester City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.