A tough test at St. James Park awaits Manchester City but if they come through it it could set them up | OneFootball

This week looms as a big week in the 25/26 season for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side take on Newcastle United at St. James Park in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie tomorrow night. Following that, City will go to Old Trafford to play arch-rivals Manchester United in a crucial Premier League fixture. Both games loom as big fixtures in Manchester City’s season. If they can win both games it can set City up for what lies ahead. Tomorrow night’s match will be a tough test for Pep Guardiola’s side and if they come through it it can build confidence within this new-look City squad.

Manchester City know what awaits them at St. James Park against Newcastle.

The first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final tie between Manchester City and Newcastle United can set the tone for the entire tie. Eddie Howe’s side will be eager to take full advantage of playing in front of their passionate home support. Newcastle are a different beast playing at home and they have developed a habit of scoring late goals at home over the past week. They also beat City 2-1 at St. James Park earlier this season so Pep Guardiola’s side know the task in front of them tomorrow. If they can successfully navigate it, they will take tremendous confidence for what lies ahead.

For this new-look Manchester City side, playing a Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg at St. James Park is the ideal test for them. It is the ideal test for Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov at centre-back to take on and try to quell the threat of Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes. Rodri or Nico, alongside Bernardo Silva, will have the challenge of winning the midfield battle against Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali. Manchester City’s attack with Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden need to perform to quieten the Newcastle United home support. It is a formidable challenge for City to overcome but if they do it can be a moment that sets City up for the challenges ahead.

Pep Guardiola is expecting a tough test against Newcastle.

Speaking during his pre-game press conference ahead of tomorrow night’s match, Pep Guardiola has braced his team for a tough challenge tomorrow night. Speaking on playing Newcastle United at St. James Park, Guardiola said: “For many years – since Eddie Howe took over – Newcastle have been so tough.”

“Look how many games they win in the last minute. The crowd push. That stadium is special and it’s been like that a long time.”

“But if we had played Arsenal or [in the semi-final] it would be the same difficulty.”

Manchester City face a tough challenge tomorrow night playing Newcastle United at St. James Park in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final tie tomorrow night. It will be a tough match for this new-look City side to navigate. But it is a challenge that they must embrace head on. If City can pick up a result in a hostile environment it could set them up for what lies ahead both this week and for later this season.