Manchester City will be aiming to spread some festive cheer to their supporters on Boxing Day when they play host to Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola's men took the spoils in their last top-flight match courtesy of a Raheem Sterling winner at Southampton, with the Citizens currently eighth in the table having played a game fewer than most of the teams above them.
City's midweek EFL Cup quarter-final with Arsenal saw Guardiola's side run out 4-1 winners at the Emirates to book their place in the last four, and Saturday's hosts can stretch their unbeaten run across all competitions to 10 matches should they avoid defeat this weekend.
Here, Sports Mole looks at how Man City could line up for the visit of Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Out: Eric Garcia (muscle), Gabriel Jesus (coronavirus), Kyle Walker (coronavirus)
Doubtful:
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Gabriel Jesus and Aymeric Laporte both managed to make the starting lineup on Tuesday despite initial doubts over their fitness, but the former has since tested positive for coronavirus alongside Kyle Walker, meaning that the pair will play no part here.
Eric Garcia is also out but the youthful Spaniard was never likely to line up from the first whistle in this one, although the rejuvenated John Stones is expected to come back in for Laporte, whose goal against Arsenal probably will not be enough for him to keep his place alongside Ruben Dias.
Ederson will reprise his usual spot in goal over Zack Steffen, while in the full-back positions, Joao Cancelo will keep his place with Walker sidelined, and Benjamin Mendy should come back in for Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The ever-present Rodri is a shoo-in, while Fernandinho - who started just his seventh game of the season in the win over Arsenal - is expected to drop out for the returning Ilkay Gundogan.
Kevin De Bruyne is reportedly close to agreeing a new deal at the Etihad which would see him stay on until 2025, and having been rested in midweek, the Belgian will certainly make the starting lineup against Newcastle.
Raheem Sterling is expected to demote his compatriot Phil Foden to the bench, while Riyad Mahrez's spot on the right-hand side should be safe with Guardiola forced into a reshuffle up top.
Sergio Aguero has notched up 15 goals in 11 matches against the Magpies, with Chelsea being the only other team he boasts such a prolific record against. The Argentine was brought on for the final 15 minutes against Arsenal, but Guardiola conceded that Aguero is not ready for a full game just yet, so Ferran Torres could start through the middle in the absence of the COVID-positive Jesus.
Video prediction
Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:
Ben Knapton
