Newcastle United welcome newly crowned Premier League champions, Manchester City to St James Park in Friday Night Football.
Victory would see Newcastle climb to 13th until Saturday teatime at least, whereas Man City have the title sewn up but will be looking to build momentum heading into their maiden Champions League Final at the end of May.
Team News
Callum Wilson is ruled out for Newcastle until the start of next season after suffering a hamstring injury in last Friday’s win at Leicester.
Fabian Schar is serving the second of a two match ban and joins Elliott Anderson (hip), Jamaal Lascelles (foot), Ryan Fraser (groin), Isaac Hayden and Karl Darlow (both knee) on the sidelines.
Man City could have Kevin De Bruyne in contention after the Belgian midfielder missed Saturday’s loss to Chelsea through fatigue.
John Stones meanwhile returns after serving a three match domestic suspension, having been red carded in a 2-1 win at Aston Villa in mid-April.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won just one of their last 26 Premier League meetings against Manchester City (W1, D4, L21)
- Man City have won just one of their last four league trips to St James’ Park (W1, D2, L1).
- No Newcastle player this season has produced more headed clearances than the 68 headed clearances made by Federico Fernandez.
- 63 of Man City’s 72 league goals this season have come from inside the box.
- Newcastle have conceded five goals in two home games this season refereed by Kevin Friend (W1, L1), with both matches under Friend’s watch coincidentally seeing three bookings and a red card.
Prediction
With safety now assured following Fulham’s relegation on Monday, Newcastle can relax now especially given their poor league record against Man City since the mid 2000s.
Steve Bruce’s Magpies though cannot afford to let their recent improvements go to waste like they did in their last home game against Arsenal, although they did bounce back brilliantly with a disciplined away win at Leicester despite switching off defensively when 4-0 up.
Man City meanwhile now have the title wrapped up so they too have the pressure off them, although I definitely do expect to see some improvement here after last Saturday’s inconsistent performance in their loss to Chelsea.
City therefore will surely be keen to build momentum heading into the Champions League Final after Chelsea snatched the mental advantage in their clash last week, so I am tipping them for the win because Wilson’s absence will certainly hurt Newcastle up front.
Prediction: Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City
Result: Newcastle United 3-4 Manchester City
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