Man City lineup vs. Newcastle: Predicted XI for EFL Cup semi-final second leg

Manchester City are set to be without six players for Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final second leg with Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.

Ruben Dias has returned to first-team training this week after a spell out with a hamstring injury, but the defender is not expected to feature against the Magpies, while Jeremy Doku (calf), Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture), John Stones (thigh), Mateo Kovacic (ankle/heel) and Savinho (unspecified) all remain sidelined.

Pep Guardiola is still expected to name a strong lineup, even though his Citizens side boast a 2-0 first-leg advantage, but he may decide to hand James Trafford a start in goal at the expense of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

A back four of Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi and Rayan Ait-Nouri will likely remain intact. One potential change, though, could see Ait-Nouri make way and Nico O’Reilly start at left-back.

However, Guardiola could stick with O’Reilly in midfield, where he played in the first leg, while Nico Gonzalez has the tough task of attempting to displace Rodri in the other deep-lying midfield role. Tijjani Reijnders is another midfield option available for selection.

Further up the pitch, out-of-form Phil Foden was dropped for City’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Tottenham on Sunday and will be hoping to force his way back into the first XI against Newcastle, but Guardiola is expected to continue with captain Bernardo Silva and playmaker Rayan Cherki, who scored against Spurs and also netted in the first leg against Newcastle three weeks ago.

Antoine Semenyo was also on the scoresheet for City against both Spurs and Newcastle, and he could keep his spot in an advanced central role alongside Erling Haaland, though Omar Marmoush - who scored a hat-trick against Newcastle in the Premier League last season (4-0 home win in February 2025) - will be pushing for a recall.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, O’Reilly; Cherki, Bernardo; Semenyo, Haaland

> Click here to see how Newcastle United could line up for this contest