Overview
- Kick-off is 8:00pm GMT at St James’ Park, with live UK coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and streaming via Sky Go.
- The EFL has appointed Chris Kavanagh as referee, with assistants Dan Cook and Ian Hussin, VAR Stuart Attwell, AVAR Craig Taylor and fourth official Matthew Donohue.
- Newcastle’s defensive absentees include Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth, Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles, while Manchester City are without Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones, with Oscar Bobb and Savinho also sidelined.
- Manchester Evening News reports Pep Guardiola has confirmed James Trafford will start in goal, with youngsters Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov in contention at centre-back, as local coverage in Newcastle outlines calls between Nick Pope or Aaron Ramsdale in goal and whether Lewis Miley continues at right-back.
- Previews and tipsters forecast an open contest, with Racing Post advising Newcastle “draw no bet” and talkSPORT highlighting over 3.5 goals, set against Newcastle’s 13-match home unbeaten run and City’s 12-match unbeaten streak including a 10-1 FA Cup win.