With Newcastle and Manchester City both smarting from late defeats against fierce rivals on Sunday, there is little danger of either club not giving high priority to this League Cup fourth-round tie on Wednesday.
City's calamitous loss at Chelsea - their third Premier League away defeat of the season - has left them six places and points off the top of the table.
Their sumptuous display in a 4-0 win over Newcastle on the opening weekend is already a distant memory, even if manager Manuel Pellegrini maintains his side are playing well.
The exception, of course, is in defence, where Joe Hart's loss of form and the unsettling absence of captain Vincent Kompany are proving costly.
Pellegrini felt Manchester City were unlucky to lose at Chelsea, a sentiment echoed by Newcastle manager Alan Pardew about his side following the Wear-Tyne defeat by Sunderland.
Pardew insists the League Cup is a priority for his side this season, viewing it as a realistic opportunity to win silverware. City have loftier ambitions than the League Cup, but the importance of Wednesday's tie in the wake of recent away results will not be lost on them.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
•Manchester City have won the last eight meetings and are unbeaten in 14 (W12, D2) since Newcastle won 1-0 at home in the Premier League in September 2005.
•This is the fourth meeting of these clubs in the League Cup - Manchester City won 2-1 in the 1976 final and also progressed from their fourth-round tie in 1994 after a replay.
•This is the fourth meeting of these clubs in the League Cup - Manchester City won 2-1 in the 1976 final and also progressed from their fourth-round tie in 1994 after a replay.
Newcastle
•Newcastle are vying to reach the fifth round of this competition for the first time since 2006.
•They have lost their last three League Cup ties against top-flight opposition, conceding 10 goals in the process.
•They have lost their last three League Cup ties against top-flight opposition, conceding 10 goals in the process.
Manchester City
•They have scored in their last 13 League Cup matches away from home since a 1-0 third-round defeat at Wigan in November 2002.
•Yaya Toure has scored five Premier League goals against Newcastle; he has not scored more goals against any other side.
•Sergio Aguero has scored in his last four matches, and has nine goals in his last seven appearances.
•Yaya Toure has scored five Premier League goals against Newcastle; he has not scored more goals against any other side.
•Sergio Aguero has scored in his last four matches, and has nine goals in his last seven appearances.
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