Preview: Newcastle United vs. Manchester City - prediction, team news, lineups

Eleven points currently separate these two teams in the table, with the Citizens occupying third place and the Magpies sitting six positions further back in ninth.

Match preview

After ending 2023 with three consecutive defeats and then losing their opening game of the New Year 4-2 away against Liverpool, Newcastle eased the pressure beginning to mount on manager Eddie Howe by claiming a much-needed 3-0 away victory over Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland in the FA Cup third round last weekend.

Howe was rewarded for naming a strong starting lineup, albeit somewhat forced upon him amid the club's injury crisis, as an Alexander Isak brace followed a first-half own goal from Dan Ballard to help the Magpies claim the bragging rights over the Black Cats for the first time since 2011.

Newcastle will travel to Fulham in the fourth round later this month, but they must first shift their attention to Saturday's contest with Man City, a side whom they beat 1-0 in their most recent meeting four months ago in the EFL Cup courtesy of a second-half strike from Isak.

The Magpies' record against the Citizens in the Premier League leaves little to be desired, though, as they have only won one, drawn five and lost 26 of their last 32 top-flight encounters - their only triumph during this run being a 2-1 home win in January 2019.

Defeat on Saturday would represent Newcastle's 10th of the campaign in the top flight, twice as many as they recorded in the entirety of last season, and they could slip 14 points behind the top four if other results go against them, severely hindering their hopes of securing Champions League football for next season.

FA Cup holders Man City also secured safe passage through to the fourth round after thrashing Championship outfit Huddersfield Town 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium last weekend, extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches.

Kevin De Bruyne stole the headlines after making his long-awaited return from injury, with the playmaker coming off the substitutes' bench to set up fellow returnee Jeremy Doku for City's fifth goal after a brace from Phil Foden, a strike from Julian Alvarez and an own goal from Ben Jackson had put the game to bed.

Before preparing for a tricky trip to Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round later this month, Pep Guardiola's side are tasked with claiming maximum points in front of a fired-up St James' Park faithful this weekend as they endeavour to close the five-point gap that currently separates them from Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have played a game more.

Following a challenging period towards the end of 2023, world champions Man City have since turned their fortunes around in impressive fashion in recent weeks, winning each of their last five games in all competitions by an aggregate score of 17-1.

The Citizens will be confident of further success on Saturday as they have won more matches (30), scored more goals (98) and kept more clean sheets (22) against Newcastle than they have versus any other opponent in their Premier League history.

Newcastle United Premier League form:

L

L

W

L

L

L

Newcastle United form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

L

W

Manchester City Premier League form:

D

L

W

D

W

W

Manchester City form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

W

W

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Team News

Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock is believed to be behind schedule in his recovery from an Achilles injury and remains sidelined along with Callum Wilson, Matt Targett (both hamstring), Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy (both shoulder), Harvey Barnes (foot), Elliot Anderson (back) and Javi Manquillo (groin).

Joelinton is all but certain to be ruled out after sustaining a thigh problem against Sunderland, so 17-year-old Lewis Miley could deputise in centre-midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff.

Fabian Schar extended his Newcastle contract earlier this week and is expected to continue in the back four alongside ex-Man City man Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Dan Burn, while a front three of Isak, Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon is set to remain intact.

As for Man City, John Stones (ankle) remains sidelined, while Erling Haaland (foot), Manuel Akanji (knee), Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips (both illness) will all be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake are expected to be recalled in defence, with Ederson replacing Stefan Ortega between the sticks, while Rodri could be partnered in centre-midfield by either Mateo Kovacic or Rico Lewis.

The potential return of Bernardo could see the Portuguese replace Oscar Bobb on the right flank, joining in-form Foden - who has scored four goals in his last four matches - as well as Jack Grealish and Alvarez in the final third.

Both De Bruyne and Doku will be looking to get more first-team minutes under their belts, but the Belgian duo are not expected to feature in Guardiola's starting lineup on Saturday.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Miley; Almiron, Isak, Gordon

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Alvarez

We say: Newcastle United 1-2 Manchester City

Newcastle, who can ill-afford to drop too many more Premier League points if they wish to remain in contention for the European spots, have already beaten Man City on home soil this term and pushed them all the way in a 1-0 top-flight loss at the Etihad back in August, so they cannot be written off in front of a raucous atmosphere at St James' Park.

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