Manchester City make the trip to Tyneside to take on struggling Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, hoping to close the gap to Liverpool to two points with a win at St. James’ Park.
2023 was a splendid year for Manchester City, who face Newcastle United in their first game f the year. And as Pep Guardiola’s historic treble winners get ready for their first Premier League game of 2024, it appears like more success is on the way this year as well, with the team clicking into gear and rivals slipping up.
Manchester City’s trip to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup has allowed Pep Guardiola’s men to recharge their batteries. They added another title to their trophy collection and have reeled off three wins on the bounce since their return.
They barely had to break out of first gear to crush Huddersfield Town 5-0 in the FA Cup third round. But the reigning champions will undoubtedly have a more difficult work cut-out for them on their trip to Tyneside.
Manchester City usually seem to find their rhythm in the second part of the season, and while Newcastle United are a difficult place to visit, it is ideal for Guardiola and his team to lay the foundation for a title run with a hard-fought three points.
The hosts were able to breathe a huge sigh of relief when defeating arch-rivals Sunderland 3-0 in the FA Cup third-round Tyne-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light last weekend, snapping their run of three straight defeats in all competitions.
Eddie Howe’s men cruised to a routine 3-0 victory as an own goal from Dan Ballard put the Tynesiders in front before Alexander Isak notched a second-half brace. Newcastle must now turn their attention back to the Premier League, where their form has resulted in a fall in the standings.
Manchester City won the reverse fixture between these two sides thanks to Julian Alvarez’s brilliant goal, which proved all the difference. The Hard Tackle will now analyse both teams and how they are shaping up ahead of Saturday’s clash at St. James’ Park.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
The defending champions’ visit will not be welcomed by a team that is still struggling to find its footing while dealing with a long injury list. By far, Newcastle United have the worst injury concerns in this one, with nine players ruled out. Joelinton (thigh) is listed as doubtful and is currently being assessed ahead of the game. So, he probably won’t start anyway.
Joe Willock (achilles), Callum Wilson, Matt Targett (both hamstring), Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy (both shoulder), Harvey Barnes (foot), Elliot Anderson (back), and Javi Manquillo (groin) all remain sidelined with respective injury concerns.
Martin Dubravka will continue to play in goal in Nick Pope’s absence. Fabian Schar renewed his contract with Newcastle earlier this week and is anticipated to continue in the back four alongside Sven Botman, with Kieran Trippier and Valentino Livramento serving as the full-back duo.
The midfield is the worst position for Newcastle United in terms of injuries. Furthermore, Sandro Tonali is suspended, meaning he cannot play for a while. 17-year-old Lewis Miley could deputise in centre-midfield once again alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff.
Coming off a well-taken brace at the Stadium of Light, Alexander Isak is a man on a mission, with the Newcastle United forward scoring 13 goals in all competitions this season. Also, it will be business as usual for Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon on the flanks, with no capable bench options at Howe’s disposal.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Miley; Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Manchester City
Manuel Akanji won’t be back from his injury for this one. But one huge positive from last week’s FA Cup third round victory was Kevin De Bruyne’s return from injury, as the Belgian set up Jeremy Doku’s goal on his first outing in almost five months.
While De Bruyne and Doku are back in the mix, Manchester City must assess Erling Haaland, who is nearing a return to fitness after picking up a foot injury in early December. Bernardo Silva was unwell last week but should be cutting it fine for the trip to Tyneside, although John Stones remains a major doubt until the end of the month.
Ederson will return to the starting lineup here after missing the FA Cup victory against Huddersfield Town. Kyle Walker is expected to come back in at right-back to replace Manuel Akanji, with Josko Gvardiol defending the opposite flank. Ruben Dias is certain to start alongside Nathan Ake at the heart of central defence, with Akanji out.
Rodri could be partnered in the engine room by Mateo Kovacic. Bernardo Silva’s likely return may see the Portuguese replace Oscar Bobb on the right side, joining in-form Foden, Jack Grealish, and Julian Alvarez in the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Alvarez
Key Stats
- Newcastle United will be eager to not get another loss to their name, having already lost four of their last five.
- Manchester City have scored in each of their last 30 matches against Newcastle United in the Premier League — the longest such streak by one team against another in the history of the competition.
- Newcastle United had lost seven out of their last eight before their win over Sunderland.
- Newcastle United have won only one of their last 32 matches against Manchester City in the Premier League.
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Manchester City have scored at least two goals in their last four Premier League matches.
Player to Watch
Phil Foden
Fresh off a brace by scoring two instinctive goals in Manchester City’s victory over Huddersfield Town last weekend, silky Phil Foden is in excellent form this season, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists for his team so far.
The England international has certainly stepped up for the treble-winners after the Premier League’s leading goal scorer, Erling Haaland, was out for a short while with an ankle injury. He also delivered a sensational performance in City’s last league meeting with Newcastle, as his team triumphed 1-0 at home in August.
Prediction
Newcastle United 2-3 Manchester City
There could be plenty of goals in this one as a result of the attacking qualities of both sides, and they are both more defensive-prone than last season. Manchester City are still the top scorers in the league, with Erling Haaland, of course, netting the vast majority of them.
Either side are capable of making a bright start, and it looks as though this game can be where the floodgates can open. Newcastle United will still be high on confidence after beating their bitter rivals Sunderland in the FA Cup on Saturday.
However, recent form does not go for good reading for the Magpies, while Pep Guardiola’s men have regained their free-scoring touch since returning from Saudi Arabia. Throw in the possible return of Kevin De Bruyne and Joelinton’s likely absence, and this one could sway in the visitors’ favour.
