### Newcastle United to Face Manchester City in 2026 Carabao Cup Semifinals The draw for the 2026 Carabao Cup semifinals has set the stage for an exciting clash as holders Newcastle United will take on Manchester City. This matchup is particularly significant as Newcastle aims to defend their title against a formidable opponent, who has won the competition eight times. The other semifinal will feature Chelsea facing either Arsenal or Crystal Palace, who are yet to complete their quarter-final match. The two-legged ties are scheduled to begin in January 2026, promising thrilling encounters for football fans [https://inews.zoombangla.com/holders-newcastle-face-man-city-in-2026-carabao-cup-semifinal-draw][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/newcastle-draw-man-city-carabao-004637114.html]. ### Breakdown of the Semifinal Draw and Matchups 1. **Matchup Overview**: - **Newcastle United vs. Manchester City**: Defending champions Newcastle will host City at St James' Park for the first leg. - **Chelsea vs. Arsenal or Crystal Palace**: Chelsea awaits the outcome of the quarter-final between Arsenal and Crystal Palace to determine their opponent. 2. **Competition Context**: - Newcastle is looking to retain their title after winning the Carabao Cup in March 2025. - Manchester City, a dominant force in English football, aims to add another trophy to their cabinet. 3. **Match Schedule**: - The semifinals will be played over two legs, with fixtures commencing in January 2026 and concluding in early February [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15393423/CARABAO-CUP-SEMI-FINAL-DRAW-Title-holders-Newcastle-welcome-Man-City-Chelsea-host-London-affair-new-year.html][https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13484778/carabao-cup-semi-final-draw-newcastle-vs-man-city-chelsea-against-arsenal-or-crystal-palace]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Historical Performance**: - **Newcastle United**: Defending champions, won the Carabao Cup in 2025. - **Manchester City**: Eight-time winners, showcasing a strong track record in the competition. - **Upcoming Fixtures**: - **Newcastle vs. Manchester City**: First leg at St James' Park. - **Chelsea vs. Arsenal or Crystal Palace**: Chelsea's opponent will be determined after the quarter-final match on December 23, 2025 [https://www.tuko.co.ke/sports/football/612995-chelsea-manchester-city-learn-carabao-cup-semi-final-opponents-draw][https://www.opinionnigeria.com/carabao-cup-semi-finals-newcastle-draw-man-city-chelsea-to-face-arsenal-or-palace]. ### Conclusion: Anticipation for the Semifinals In summary, the Carabao Cup semifinals promise to deliver high-stakes football as Newcastle United prepares to defend their title against Manchester City, while Chelsea awaits the outcome of the Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace match. The two-legged format adds an extra layer of excitement, with both matchups expected to draw significant attention from fans and analysts alike. 1. **Key Matchups**: - Newcastle vs. Manchester City - Chelsea vs. Arsenal or Crystal Palace 2. **Significance**: - Newcastle aims to solidify their status as a top club by defending their title. - Manchester City seeks to continue their dominance in domestic competitions. 3. **Next Steps**: - Awaiting the completion of the Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace quarter-final to finalize Chelsea's opponent. - Semifinal matches scheduled for January and February 2026 [https://www.newspointapp.com/english/sports/carabao-cup-draw-in-full-chelsea-arsenal-man-city-and-newcastle-learn-semi-final-ties-reachdailyexpress_english/articleshow/1450482089a184b3181d1678653281e3f4a3333e][https://www.espn.ph/football/story/_/id/47339888/holders-newcastle-face-man-city-carabao-cup-semifinals].