Chris Sutton offers Newcastle United verdict - Predicts more good news for Eddie Howe

Newcastle United are back in cup action this weekend, only this time it's the FA Cup fourth round after a special Wednesday night at St James' Park saw us book our place in the 2025 Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

The monumental win on Wednesday will have no doubt used up plenty of physical and mental energy, but Newcastle must now regroup ahead of our trip to Birmingham. 

BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has chimed in with his predictions for our visit to St. Andrew’s, with complacency playing it’s part in home defeats to Bournemouth and Fulham, we certainly have to be committed in our approach against the League One leaders.

BBC pundit shares Newcastle verdict

Sutton has shared his thoughts on Newcastle United, Wednesday's win and the in-form Birmingham City side we'll take on today, with the Blues no pushovers in our second game against Football League opposition in the competition this season. 

In his latest prediction piece for BBC Sport, he said: 'There were raucous scenes at St James' Park on Wednesday night after Newcastle had beaten Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

'What a brilliant result over two legs against the Gunners, and why wouldn't Magpies fans want more of the same in the FA Cup as well? They want to end their long wait for a trophy and they will head for St Andrew's on a high.

'I do wonder if Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will rest one or two of his key men, because his side are going for a top four finish in the Premier League too. But if I were him I would not be resting anyone against a Birmingham side who are in fantastic form at the top of League One.

'I am a big fan of Birmingham boss Chris Davies, who spent time working with Brendan Rogers at a few clubs, including Celtic, but has stepped up as a manager himself. I always admire people who do that.

'Davies has signed a few players from north of the border for the Blues, and also spent more than £10m on Jay Stansfield from Fulham in August. That is a bit of clout for a League One club to have, but Birmingham wanted to go straight back up after being relegated last season, and it looks like it will pay off.

'This is a shot to nothing for them against Newcastle, and I think they will give them a good game - but I am going with Newcastle to come out on top.'

Sutton's prediction: Birmingham 1-2 Newcastle 

You would expect some rotation from Howe as Sutton points out, with the boss hinting at changes in his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.

Lewis Miley and Will Osula in particular impressed against Bromley and should have done enough to earn a start here, though Callum Wilson’s return to fitness may harm the Dane’s chances.

Nick Pope will also be eyeing a return to Howe's XI, with the likes of Sean Longstaff, Emil Krafth and Matt Targett also hoping for rare starts.

Newcastle's surprising away record

Newcastle have lost just eight of their last 27 away games, winning 16 of those in a stretch that leads back to our first trip on the road in 2024 when we claimed bragging rights with ease against Sunderland.

Some big away games lie ahead where we would do well to match or better our 60% winning record. Starting with Brum, we then have a trio of Premier League travels to attend to (Manchester City, Liverpool, West Ham) before our trip to Wembley against the Reds.

Even with players resting we should have enough to get past Birmingham and, though anything can happen in a game of football, it would see the feeling fall a little bit flat after a colossal night at SJP midweek.