Newcastle v Manchester City
Wednesday 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 1
Match Odds: Newcastle 5.49/2, Manchester City 1.758/11, The Draw 4.03/1
After the damaging late loss at Chelsea, Manchester City will be keen to bounce back with a win in the Capital One Cup. Fortunately for the Citizens, they have few happier hunting grounds than St James' Park, where they have won five and drawn one of their past six matches, including the 2-0 victory that set up their title win at home to QPR in 2012.
Although their away form has been dismal in the Premier League this campaign with just one win in five games, they have been impressive on the road in the Champions League taking three points in both matches played on the continent. They won the previous round of this competition 5-0 against Wigan, and rotation means little considering Manuel Pellegrini will be able to call on the likes of Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, as well as a keeper perhaps less willing to hand goals to the opposition.
Newcastle have only lost one home game this campaign, 3-2 to Hull, with a hard-fought 2-2 draw with 10 men against Liverpool in their last outing in front of their own fans. However, their dire record against City, as well as a shaky defence that has kept one clean sheet in their last seven, will help the visitors make good on their favourites tag.
Both Manchester City and Newcastle have found the net in seven of their last eleven meetings with one another, and each have a poor recent defensive record which suggest there will be goals at both ends this time around as well. Both teams have scored in seven of City's last eight games and in six of Newcastle's past seven. Over 2.5 goals would have come in all but two of City's 13 matches in all competitions this season and six of the Magpies past seven, making that a good bet as well at 1.695/7.
In eight of City and Newcastle's last 11 meetings, there has been equal goals in both halves, an interesting quirk that was extended with the 4-0 win at the Etihad at the start of the season. Nine of City's last 12 this season have seen more goals in the second half, making that worth considering at 1.824/5, but given the pair's previous penchant for symmetrical results, it is worth taking a punt on the longer odds of 3.39/4 for another tie.
Best Bet
Back both teams to score @ 1.654/6
Recommended Bet
Back equal goals in both halves @ 3.39/4