Title-chasing Manchester City host top-four chasing Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.
Victory would see Man City cut their title deficit back down to two points, whilst Newcastle will stay fifth with a win and move one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham.
Team News
Aymeric Laporte could return for Man City after missing their last three matches due to illness.
John Stones (hamstring) is doubtful after a month out but Stefan Ortega (hand) is ruled out.
Newcastle will have Bruno Guimaraes available after he suffered a minor ankle injury in their Carabao Cup Final defeat against Manchester United, which hasn’t prevented him from training this week.
Nick Pope will return in goal after completing his one-match ban but Emil Krafth (knee) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Newcastle at Etihad Stadium on Saturday 4 March in a 12:30pm GMT kick-off, live on BT Sport.
Stat Attack
- Man City are unbeaten in their last seven league meetings against Newcastle (W5, D2).
- Newcastle are winless in their last 18 visits to Man City (D2, L16).
- City have scored 12 goals without conceding across their last three home meetings against Newcastle (W3).
- Four of Man City’s 10 league goals at home in 2023 have been scored by Erling Haaland.
- Joelinton has been booked in each of Newcastle’s last three league matches away from home.
Prediction
Having spent the last two-and-a-half weeks on the road which yielded just one clean sheet despite not suffering any defeat, Man City surely should be glad to be back on home turf here where they will be looking to build upon a positive away win at Bristol City in midweek FA Cup action.
Manager, Pep Guardiola will also be boosted by the return of a fresh Erling Haaland who was rested in midweek, which is a welcome move given City’s recent heavy fixture load because the pressure is now on them to keep pace with Arsenal in the title race.
Newcastle though will be eager to bounce back from their Carabao Cup heartbreak because they had the determination and attacking intensity, yet their end product simply let them down which absolutely can’t happen here if they want a result given their poor record at City.
Having Guimaraes available is a huge positive in a crucial game where his midfield control is vital against City’s attack, whilst Pope’s return is another positive because he will give City something to think about in terms of their end product.
I though just can’t see City losing this game but if Newcastle can sort out their end product issues of recent games, they could run this game close.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United
Result: Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle United
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