Manchester City look to bounce back from a shock defeat at Southampton as they welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium.
A win could move Man City closer towards confirming their position as 2019-20 runner-up, whilst Newcastle could climb to tenth with victory and results elsewhere swinging in their favour.
Team News
Embed from Getty ImagesSergio Aguero is Man City’s only absentee with a knee injury.
Newcastle could be without Allan Saint Maximin due to fitness concerns as Steve Bruce’s Magpies face a sixth match within two and a half weeks.
Sean Longstaff and Isaac Hayden are ruled out with hamstring injuries, whilst Florian Lejeune (fitness) and Ciaran Clark (ankle) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Manchester City are unbeaten in four of last five Premier League meetings against Newcastle (W3, D1, L1).
- Newcastle have won just one of their last five trips to Etihad Stadium in all competitions (W1, L4).
- Both teams have scored in their last three league clashes at the Etihad, with Man City scoring 11 goals to Newcastle’s three.
- City are yet to receive a red card after 39 previous Premier League meetings against Newcastle., with the Magpies having had two sending offs in that time.
- There have been seven penalties given in this Premier League fixture of which they were all scored, with City dispatching six spot kicks to Newcastle’s one penalty.
Prediction
After producing a shambolic defensive home display just over a week ago in their FA Cup clash, Newcastle simply have to come out fighting because Southampton showed on Sunday just what a feisty yet solid defensive display can do to hurt City.
Newcastle however were sloppy in how they conceded twice against West Ham despite fighting back for a draw, which doesn’t offer much hope unless they somehow produce another impressive away performance like at Bournemouth last week.
City meanwhile will relish this game given their home form against Newcastle so I am going for a home win, although Newcastle will atone for that missed sitter from their FA Cup tie.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United
Result: Manchester City 5-0 Newcastle United