Preview: Manchester City vs. Newcastle United

Manchester City continue the defence of their League Cup crown on Wednesday night when they entertain a resurgent Newcastle United in the fourth round.

The Blues started their campaign in emphatic fashion last month with a 7-0 thrashing of Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

However, they come into this match on the back of Saturday's 2-1 defeat away to West Ham United in the Premier League - a result that saw them slip six points behind leaders Chelsea in the table.

Meanwhile, Newcastle travel to the Etihad Stadium with the wind in their sails after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at White Hart Lane at the weekend.

Following their poor start to the season, the Magpies are now up to 14th place in the standings thanks to two victories in their last two matches.

Alan Pardew's side booked their place in round four of the League Cup last month with a dramatic 3-2 triumph away to Crystal Palace.

Manchester City will be without Samir Nasri and Frank Lampard, while Willy Caballero, Aleksandar Kolarov, Martin Demichelis and Fernandinho could all be called upon if manager Manuel Pellegrini shakes up his team ahead of this weekend's derby with Manchester United.

Newcastle's injury woes have improved in recent weeks, though Papiss Cisse and Cheick Tiote have both been ruled out of their side's trip to Eastlands through injury.

Recent form

Man City: WDWWDL

Newcastle: DWLDWW

Possible starting lineups

Man City: Caballero; Kolarov, Demichelis, Kompany, Sagna; Milner, Fernandinho, Fernando, Navas; Jovetic, Dzeko

Newcastle: Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett; Colback, Anita; Cabella, Sissoko, Gouffran; Ameobi

Sports Mole says: 2-0