Newcastle United resume their Premier League campaign with a tricky encounter against Manchester City at St James’ Park.
Victory would see Newcastle climb up to seventh in the table, whilst Man City can go second with a win.
Team News
Joelinton is ruled out for Newcastle after he suffered a quad injury during their FA Cup win over local rivals, Sunderland.
Elliott Anderson (back), Matt Targett (hamstring), Javier Manquillo (groin), Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy (both shoulder), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Joe Willock (Achilles), Harvey Barnes (foot) and Callum Wilson (calf) remain absent.
Man City could welcome Scott Carson, Kalvin Phillips and Bernardo Silva back into contention after the trio missed the FA Cup win over Huddersfield, due to illness.
Jack Grealish however is a doubt after he missed training due to a sickness bug.
Manuel Akanji (knock) could return but Erling Haaland (foot) and John Stones (ankle) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Man City at St James’ Park in a 5:30pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 13 January, live on TNT Sport 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have winless in their last nine league meetings against Man City (D2, L7).
- Man City have lost one of their last five league visits to Newcastle (W2, D2, L1).
- City’s Phil Foden has provided one goal and assist apiece in his last two appearances against Newcastle.
- Newcastle are looking to avoid suffering four consecutive league defeats for the first time since a run of five losses in January 2021.
- Bernardo Silva has scored in each of Man City’s last two away matches (W2).
Prediction
Although Eddie Howe’s Magpies delivered a dominant performance at Sunderland with front-footed attacking football, Joelinton is now another tough loss to injury and creates further headache for Howe as to how he approaches this game tactically in midfield.
Man City meanwhile blew Huddersfield apart with a clinical display and Kevin De Bruyne’s return will only boost morale further, especially that they’re back winning on the road following their blip in the autumn and I do expect them to be difficult for Newcastle to quieten.
In fact I have a feeling that Newcastle might have to go defensive and hope that their counter-attacking end product is clinical, otherwise this could well be one-sided result if Man City turn up and dominate like they did against the Terriers.
Prediction: Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City
Result: Newcastle United 2-3 Manchester City
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