Newcastle vs Man City predicted lineups and team news
Both Newcastle United and Manchester City will look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they meet at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Newcastle vs Man City predicted lineups
Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope; Kelly, Burn, Schar, Trippier; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Willock; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
Man City (4-2-3-1): Ederson, Gvardiol, Dias, Akanji, Walker; Gundogan, Kovacic; Doku, Silva, Savinho; Haaland
Man City begin life without Rodri
Man City are top of the league but dropped their first points of the season on Sunday with a last-gasp draw against Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a significant blow this week with the news that midfielder Rodri could miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury suffered against Arsenal.
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Rodri has become an irreplaceable figure in the middle of the park for the Citizens and the Spain international, who is a serious contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or, will be sorely missed.
There are also doubts surrounding star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne after he picked up a knock in City’s goalless Champions League clash against Inter Milan.
While injuries have been an issue for Man City in the early weeks of the season, the huge positive for boss Guardiola has been the unstoppable form of striker Erling Haaland. The Norwegian has made a scintillating start to the season with 10 goals in his first five Premier League games.
Haaland scored in his first game against Newcastle in a 3-3 draw back in August 2022 but has failed to find the back of the net in any of his last three encounters with the Magpies.
The Norwegian will be determined to put that record straight against this weekend.
Toon back to home comforts
Newcastle were on a good run of form with back-to-back victories against Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers but fell to a surprise 3-1 defeat at Fulham last time out.
The return to St James’ Park this weekend will bring comfort to the Magpes. Eddie Howe’s side have turned St James’ Park into a fortress and are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League outings on Tyneside.
Few teams have an easy time of it when they head to the home of the Magpies, who have lost just one of their last three home meetings with Man City.
The champions were beaten 1-0 at St James’ Park in the EFL Cup last season and needed a 90th-minute winner from Oscar Bobb to seal a dramatic 3-2 win in the pair’s league fixture in the North East.
The Magpies will be hoping to see more from star striker Alexander Isak, who was struggling with an eye and toe issue against Fulham last time out.