Overview
- Kick-off is 8pm GMT at St James' Park, with live coverage on ITV1 and Sky Sports plus streaming via ITVX and Sky Go.
- Newcastle enter as reigning champions and carry a 13-match unbeaten run at home into the tie.
- Manchester City arrive after a 10-1 FA Cup win over Exeter and seek their first League Cup final since their 2018–21 title run.
- Both teams face major defensive absences, including Newcastle’s losses such as Fabian Schär and Tino Livramento and City’s injuries to Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol.
- City’s new signing Antoine Semenyo is eligible to play, and James Trafford is expected to start in goal, with the second leg scheduled for February 4 at the Etihad.