Sky Sports’ festive round of post Xmas fixtures in Premier League continues as Newcastle United welcome Manchester City to St James’ Park.
Team News
Jonjo Shelvey could make his return after missing games against Arsenal and West Ham through suspension.
Two of Shelvey’s fellow midfielders, Mikel Merino and Isaac Hayden both have knocks so face late fitness tests.
Manchester City meanwhile have no new injury worries but are likely to rotate their starting eleven.
Centre back, John Stones is back training after a hamstring injury but could be rested till Sunday.
Form
Newcastle will be keen to use their weekend win at West Ham as a springboard to get more points on board.
They however are on a winless home streak of four games, conceding eight and scoring just two.
City however are unbeaten in 19 league games and 27 of 28 games in all competitions.
Stat Attack
- Man City have won last 19 league meetings but could set a new club record for most consecutive wins against one opponent here.
- Newcastle ended a two month win drought with victory last time out, having suffered a (D1 L8) record on 21st October.
- Rafa Bentiez is yet to lose a home game against City in eight clashes. The Spaniard however has seen his teams draw last four at home to the Citizens, after winning the first four.
- The Citizens have scored at least twice on road this season in 11 of 14 away games in all competitions. Out of the three times that they haven’t, Man City mustered an away goal meaning that yet to draw blank away from the Etihad this season.
Dominant City
Manchester City could well be on course for that 20th consecutive non league defeat against a single opponent, if the per game averages are anything to go by.
| Per game average | Newcastle (home) | Manchester City (away) |
| Corners | 5.56 | 7 |
| Fouls | 10.89 | 9.44 |
| Shots | 11.67 | 17.33 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 6.56 |
| Goals | 1 | 2.67 |
Although City are wasteful in failing to convert an average 10.77 of their shots onto attempts on target, they’re more dominant than Newcastle.
Their lower foul average also suggests that the Magpies will have a tough time breaking them down.
Whenever City are away in the league, their opponents have averaged just 2.33 corners, demonstrating how dominant they are.
Prediction
Based on City’s strengths all over the pitch and their away corner domination against sides hosting them, I can see just one outcome.
Prediction: Newcastle 0-3 Manchester City
Jake predicts: Newcastle 0-2 Manchester City
Result: Newcastle 0-1 Manchester City