Manchester City will endeavour to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League table when they travel to St James' Park to face Newcastle United on Saturday lunchtime.
The two teams meet for the first time since March when the Citizens secured a comfortable 2-0 home victory in the FA Cup quarter-finals, courtesy of two goals from Bernardo Silva.
Match preview
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Newcastle accumulated 10 points from their opening four Premier League matches, but positive results masked a far from convincing start and they have since suffered their first defeat of the season away against Fulham, going down 3-1 at Craven Cottage last weekend.
Goals inside the first 22 minutes from Raul Jimenez and Emile Smith Rowe put the Cottagers in control, before Harvey Barnes pulled one back for the Magpies within the opening minute of the restart with his third goal in as many games. However, Fulham secured maximum points with a stoppage-time strike from Reiss Nelson.
Eddie Howe admitted after the match that their error-strewn loss to Fulham was the "worst we have played" this term, and while they may sit sixth in the table and only three points off the summit, the Magpies faithful are aware that performances must improve if they are to see their team remain towards the top.
Newcastle were scheduled to be in EFL Cup third-round action on Tuesday, but their away clash with League Two outfit AFC Wimbledon was postponed as "extensive overnight flooding" created a sinkhole on the pitch at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. This fixture has since been rearranged to take place on October 1 at St James' Park, and the winners will face Chelsea in the fourth round.
Howe and co have therefore been given a few days extra rest ahead of a challenging Premier League contest with Man City, whom they have beaten just once in their last 33 top-flight meetings - a 2-1 home victory in January 2019 under Rafael Benitez.
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Just 49 hours separated the end of Man City's pulsating 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal on Sunday and kickoff against Watford in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday, resulting in Pep Guardiola making nine changes to his starting lineup.
Nevertheless, the Citizens prevailed by a 2-1 scoreline courtesy of first-half goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes. There was nearly a sting in the tale from the Hornets, who pushed for a late equaliser after Tom Ince pulled one back with a superb strike, but the hosts held on for a narrow victory.
The eight-time EFL Cup winners will face Tottenham Hotspur away in the fourth round next month, but they will first turn their attention back to the Premier League and will be looking to extend their unbeaten top-flight run in 2024 to 25 matches when they come up against Newcastle; only Chelsea (26) in 2008 have ever enjoyed a longer unbeaten run in the Premier League era from the start of a calendar year.
Man City will be confident of success on Saturday as they have won more Premier League matches (31), more away games (12) and scored more goals (101) against Newcastle than they have versus any other opponent in the division. They have also scored in each of their last 31 league meetings, which is the longest scoring streak that one team has against another in the division's history.
The Citizens are sure to be aware of Newcastle's 10-game unbeaten home run, but they were in fact the last team to beat the Magpies at St James' Park, with a stoppage-time strike form Oscar Bobb sealing a 3-2 victory in January. They did lose 1-0 away from home in the EFL Cup third round this time last year, though.
Team News
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Newcastle quartet Callum Wilson (back), Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles (both knee) and Lewis Miley (ankle) all remain sidelined with injuries, the former of whom is not expected to return until after the next international break.
Howe has also revealed that Matt Targett will miss this weekend's game due to "a flare-up of eczema", while star striker Alexander Isak is doubtful with a toe injury and has not taken part in first-team training this week.
The potential absence of Isak could see either Will Osula or Anthony Gordon tasked with leading the line; a start for Gordon as the central striker could therefore see Barnes and either Jacob Murphy or Miguel Almiron start on the flanks.
Howe may consider making changes at full-back, with both Valentino Livramento and Lewis Hall in contention to replace Kieran Trippier and Lloyd Kelly, while Sandro Tonali could push Joe Willock for his first Premier League start of the season in midfield.
As for Man City, they will have to cope without star midfielder Rodri, who has suffered knee ligament damage and will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery.
Oscar Bobb (leg fracture) and Nathan Ake (muscle) are also in the treatment room, while Guardiola has confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne is also sidelined as he continues to recover from a groin problem.
After making nine changes for the EFL Cup win over Watford in midweek, Guardiola is set to recall a number of senior stars for the clash with Newcastle, including first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland, the latter of whom has scored 10 goals in just five Premier League games so far this term.
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Gordon, Barnes
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Lewis, Kovacic; Savinho, Bernardo, Gundogan, Doku; Haaland
We say: Newcastle United 1-2 Manchester City
In front of a roaring St James' Park crowd, Howe will be seeking a reaction from his Newcastle side after losing last weekend, but whether they can step up for the big occasion against a Rodri-less Man City remains to be seen.
Indeed, the Citizens may be without their star lynchpin, but Guardiola still has a number of quality players who are capable of filling the void short term. With goal machine Haaland also set to lead the line, we can see the reigning champions coming out on top against the Magpies once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
