Manchester City host Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off.
City beat Fulham 3-0 at home in their last league fixture, keeping them hot on the heels of leaders Arsenal.
Newcastle recorded a 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur, ending their four-game winless league run.
Match preview
Man City beat Salford City 2-0 in the FA Cup last weekend, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches across all competitions.
The Cityzens have picked up 11 points in their last six league games – only three teams have collected more within that period.
City have faced Newcastle three times this season, winning two and losing one.
They boast the joint-best home record in the league and will be aiming to continue their impressive home form here.
Newcastle thrashed Qarabag 6-1 in the Champions League knockout round play-off first leg, recording their fourth consecutive away victory across all competitions.
While they have lost to City twice already this season, they have been let down by poor decision-making at both ends of the pitch rather than a lack of competitiveness.
The Magpies will try to exploit City’s high defensive line and maintain a compact defensive shape without possession.
Newcastle have lost their last 12 games at City and will be hoping to end that in Saturday’s showdown.
Team news
Man City’s Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic remain sidelined with injuries, while Jeremy Doku and Savinho are doubts.
Bruno Guimaraes, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth are on the Newcastle treatment table. Lewis Miley, Sven Botman, and Yoanne Wissa are doubtful.
Predicted line-ups
Man City (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly, Rodri, Antoine Semenyo, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, Erling Braut Haaland.
Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Nick Pope, Lewis Hall, Dan Burn, Malick Thiaw, Kieran Trippier, Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock, Antony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Harvey Barnes, Antony Gordon.
Prediction
We predict a 3-2 victory for Man City.
Stats from whoscored.com.
