Pep Guardiola has labelled Newcastle United as the "best" Premier League team at "many things" and believes that they represent "one of the toughest opponents" for Manchester City heading into the latter stages of the season.
The Magpies have gone from strength to strength under the tutelage of head coach Eddie Howe, who has steered the club from the prospect of relegation last year to challenging for European football this term.
Newcastle boast the best defensive record in the Premier League so far this season, keeping the most clean sheets (12) and conceding the fewest goals (15), while they have also lost just two of their 23 league games – fewer than any other team in the division.
However, Howe's side have endured a dip in form over the last few weeks and have subsequently slipped out of the top four, with the Magpies now sitting in fifth place and four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur who have played two games more.
Newcastle came up short in the EFL Cup final on Sunday – their first trip to Wembley in 24 years – as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United, and Howe's side head to the Etihad Stadium having won only one of their last seven games in all competitions.
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Nevertheless, Guardiola is expected a challenging encounter against the Magpies on Saturday and believes that they have the credentials to compete at the top end of the table for years to come.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola said: "From what I've seen lately, even the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United, they are one of the toughest opponents we have until the end of the season.
"In terms of experience, threat, transitions, and set-pieces they are the best team in the league. Many, many things. That's why they've been there all season.
"It happened last season and this season, they made a step forward. It looks like they came to stay here."
Guardiola has also praised Newcastle's recruitment since the club's Saudi-backed consortium completed their takeover in October 2021.
"They have not been here for a long time so you always think they need time but they made exceptional recruitment; exactly what they need," the Spaniard added. "[They have] a manager with huge quality in many, many things. Maybe they will stay there."
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Man City and Newcastle played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at St James' Park earlier this season, but the Citizens have dominated this fixture on home soil for a number of years, winning each of their last 13 Premier League meetings with the Magpies in front of their own fans.
Ahead of Saturday's clash, the reigning top-flight champions have been boosted by the return of John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Stefan Ortega, with Guardiola confirming that the trio could be available for the visit of Newcastle.
Stones has missed the last seven matches across all tournaments after pulling his hamstring in the FA Cup fourth-round win over Arsenal at the end of January, while Laporte has been absent for the last three games due to illness.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ortega was withdrawn at half time in the 3-0 FA Cup fifth-round victory at Bristol City on Tuesday after sustaining a knock to his hand, but he along with Stones and Laporte have returned to team training.
Asked about the trio's availability, Guardiola said: "They (have) trained, and they feel better – much better."
Man City will move to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal with a victory over Newcastle in the lunchtime kickoff, before the Gunners play host to Bournemouth a few hours later.
Oliver Thomas
