Newcastle United host Manchester City at St James’ Park in a huge Super Sunday encounter.
Victory could put Newcastle above City and as high as second, whereas a win could see Man City stay top of the table.
Team News
Ryan Fraser and Matt Targett could both return for Newcastle after they missed the goalless draw at Brighton with respective back and hamstring injuries.
Emil Krafth (hamstring), Federico Fernandez and Jamal Lewis (both calf) are doubts but Jonjo Shelvey (hamstring) remains absent.
Man City could welcome Kalvin Phillips back into contention after he recovered from a knock which ruled him out of last weekend’s win over Bournemouth.
Cole Palmer (foot) is also set to be in contention for selection but Aymeric Laporte (knee) remains absent.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle are winless in their last six meetings against Manchester City (D1, L5).
- Man City have lost just one of their last 14 league visits to St James’ Park (W10, D3, L1).
- Ex Man City winger, Raheem Sterling scored in both meetings against Newcastle last season but has now joined Chelsea this summer.
- Newcastle have lost just two of their last 12 home matches in all competitions dating back to 27 December 2021 (W8, D2, L2).
- Erling Haaland has been involved in three of City’s six league goals this season, having scored twice and created one assist.
Prediction
Following a dominant opening weekend victory over Forest a fortnight ago, Newcastle certainly showed their improved depth in quality with a fantastic defensive performance in terms of their marking positions and blocks on top of great goalkeeping from Nick Pope to snatch a point at Brighton.
I though will like to see Newcastle now begin to play more clinically in their attacking moves because they’ve wasted numerous chances in their opening two matches.
City meanwhile were simply relentless in their dominant win over Bournemouth because they just controlled the game with such ease, which is great but can easily lure them into a false sense of confidence if they look to come here and dictate throughout as Newcastle won’t be pushovers.
This clash though on paper is the visitors’ to lose given their form on Tyneside and with Erling Haaland likely to provide Newcastle’s defence with a distraction, it opens up the chance for other City players to cause issues for Pope who often struggled against City when he was at Burnley.
Both teams also haven’t conceded yet this season but I can see that record ending for the hosts here.
Prediction: Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City
Result: Newcastle United 3-3 Manchester City