Capital One Cup: Newcastle United v Manchester City match preview

A look ahead to the fixture at St James' Park

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew and Manchester City's Manuel Pellegrini will go head-to-head in the League Cup (GETTY IMAGES)

With three defeats in six games including one at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Manchester City will feel enough is enough and will look to vent their frustration against Newcastle in the League Cup tonight.

What is worrying for them is the re-emerging goalkeeper crisis, and Manuel Pellegrini won’t be too happy to consider benching England No 1 Joe Hart, who has been through a rough patch lately, to give him some time for reflection.

The Chilean tactician may rotate to preserve some freshness for the upcoming matches against Norwich and CSKA Moscow, but his bench options in Edin Dzeko, Stevan Jovetic and James Milner are hardly what anyone would call a second choice.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will be under some pressure after Sunday’s derby defeat by Sunderland but will be boosted by the return of defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa from suspension.

Newcastle have not tasted victory against the Sky Blues since 2005, and Pardew knows the key to changing these fortunes may lay with Loic Remy, who has five goals in seven matches so far.

KICK OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Man City 4 Newcastle 0, Premier League, August 2013

Man City 4 Newcastle 0, Premier League, March 2013

Newcastle 1 Man City 3, Premier League, December 2012

STATS…

The Magpies have never won the League Cup and will be relishing a chance to get into Europe by winning it, but they have not managed to record a victory over Manchester City since September 2005.

Newcastle have scored only once and conceded 13 times in the last five games against the Citizens.

City enjoyed a 90% pass success rate in their 4-0 thumping over Newcastle in August this year.

City are unbeaten in 14 games against Newcastle, winning the last eight and scoring 23 goals.

ODDS…

Man City to win: 1.67

Newcastle to win: 5.5

Draw: 4.2

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1, 7.45pm