Newcastle vs Man City preview, predictions & confirmed team news
Manchester City will be looking to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool when they face Newcastle United on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s men currently sit in third place, nine points behind Liverpool after their 2-1 win over Chelsea last weekend.
The Citizens are looking to become just the third team to win three English top-flight titles in a row since the Second World War but have a monumental chase on their hands.
This fixture last season saw Newcastle come from behind to earn a 2-1 win which would be the last tie Man City dropped points en route to the title. But Newcastle are a changed team since then, struggling under Steve Bruce so far.
Read on for our Newcastle vs Man City preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Newcastle vs Man City and what TV channel is it on?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: St James’ Park
Date: Saturday, 30 November 2019
Kick-off: 12:30 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): BT Sport 1
Last five meetings: Newcastle vs Man City
29 January 2019: Newcastle 2-1 Man City (Premier League)
01 September 2018: Man City 2-1 Newcastle (Premier League)
20 January 2018: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (Premier League)
27 December 2017: Newcastle 0-1 Man City (Premier League)
19 April 2016: Newcastle 1-1 Man City (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Newcastle (WLLLD) 5-8 Man City (LWWWD)
Ones to watch
Newcastle: Jetro Willems
It will be a tall order for Newcastle, after Monday’s abject display against Aston Villa, to get a positive result against Man City. But if they are to do so, Jetro Willems will need to be on his game at both ends of the pitch.
The loan-signing from Eintracht Frankfurt has been a decent addition to the Newcastle squad, slotting in at left wing-back. Defensively, only Isaac Hayden has made more tackles than Willems’ 24, while he has also chipped in with eight interceptions.
Willems has also done his bit in attack, creating 10 chances so far. Only Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin, Jonjo Shelvey and Sean Longstaff have more, though Willems has recorded two assists. Man City’s defence does have its vulnerabilities which a player like Willems could exploit.
Key stat: No Newcastle player has recorded more assists in the Premier League this season than Jetro Willems (2).
Man City: Gabriel Jesus
Fortunately for Newcastle, Man City are without Sergio Aguero, who has scored 15 goals in 14 games against the Magpies. However, his replacement Gabriel Jesus will be a more than capable deputy.
The Brazilian has had to watch on this season as Aguero continues to fire but, when called upon, Jesus has done his job very well. So far this season Jesus has scored three goals in 10 Premier League games, but his brief playing takes the average up to a goal every 154 minutes.
Jesus is yet to score in three appearances against Newcastle and will undoubtedly be looking to change that fact this afternoon.
Key stat: Gabriel Jesus has scored in three of his four Premier League starts this season.
Team news
Newcastle
Newcastle have made just one change from the defeat to Aston Villa, with Javier Manquillo starting ahead of DeAndre Yedlin as right wing-back.
Sean Longstaff has returned after completing his three-match suspension for a red card received against Wolves at the end of October but is only handed a start from the bench, alongside brother Matthew.
Predicted XI: Dubravka; Manquillo, Fernandez, Schar, Dummett, Willems; Hayden, Shelvey; Almiron, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin.
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Man City
Aguero joins Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane on the sidelines after his thigh injury picked up against Chelsea, so Jesus starts in attack.
Bernardo Silva is also available for selection after serving a one-game ban against Chelsea, but Guardiola has opted to stick with Riyad Mahrez following his fine performance last weekend.
There is also a start for Ilkay Gundogan in midfield, while John Stones and Fernandinho remain the centre-back partnership.
Predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Fernandinho, Mendy; De Bruyne, Gundogan, David Silva; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.
Squawka prediction
Newcastle may have produced a shock in this fixture last season, but the Magpies looked completely bereft of any inspiration against Aston Villa on Monday.
Man City weren’t much better in their draw with Shakhtar Donetsk, but Guardiola fielded a slightly rotated team and was still able to secure a last-16 spot.
Saturday will bring a stronger team and it should be enough for Man City to close the game on Liverpool to six points, momentarily at least.
Scoreline prediction: Newcastle 0-3 Man City
