MANCHESTER CITY visit struggling Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s men are hoping to close the gap to Liverpool to two points with a win over the Magpies.
Man City won the previous fixture between these two sides thanks to Julian Alvarez’s brilliant goal.
Manchester City will be looking forward for the return of Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian maestro came off the bench in a 5-0 win against Huddersfield Town.
De Bruyne provided an assist for Jeremy Doku in a 33 minute cameo against the Championship strugglers.
Newcastle United have the 3rd best home record in the Premier League by only loosing twice all season to Liverpool and quite recently, Nottingham Forest.
However recent form does not go for good reading for The Magpies.
Eddie Howe’s men have endured seven defeats out of TEN matches in all competitions which has left his side currently sitting 9th in the league.
After being 6 points adrift in early December, Manchester City have certainly found their form by being unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions.
Pep Guardiola’s men are currently leading the Premier League with the most goals with 45, which is seven goals less after 19 games in their treble winning season.
Not to mention, The Citizens away form in the league is better than any other side which makes Saturday a very compelling game due to Newcastle’s impressive home record at St .James’ Park.
Fresh off a brace at the Stadium of Light, Alexander Isak is a man on a mission with the Newcastle forward scoring 13 goals in all competitions this season.
The Swedish forward has already beaten his previous season tally which was 11 goals.
If Newcastle end up getting a result on Saturday, there would be no surprise if Isak contributes to that with the striker scoring 4 goals in his last 3 games.
Silky Phil Foden is in fine form this season with the midfield maestro scoring 11 goals and producing 8 assists for his side.
Similarly, the Stockport born midfielder is also coming off the back of a brace last weekend by scoring two instinctive goals in the sides win over Huddersfield Town.
The England International has certainly stepped up for the treble winning side after Premier League’s leading goal scorer Erling Haaland endured a small period on the side lines with an ankle injury.
Injury hit Newcastle United still have several key players out for the fixture.
Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson, Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson will be unavailable on Saturday.
Brazilian midfielder, Joelinton, is currently being assessed ahead of the game.
Manchester City will be without defender John Stones after sustaining an ankle injury at Goodison Park in late December.
Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips are expected to feature after the duo missed the FA Cup win against Huddersfield due to illness.
Pep Guardiola will be hoping that his star man, Erling Haaland, will be available for the trip to St. James’.
Pep Guardiola said: “[Erling has had] two or three sessions and feels good. Hopefully, [he can play soon but], I don’t know for Sunday or for Newcastle.”
Eddie Howe said after his sides win over Sunderland on the weekend that: “It’s been a frustrating time for us and our injuries are still a big problem.”
“Physically we look stronger. That extra gear was back. And we’ve not just won the game but kept a clean sheet.”
Newcastle United 1-2 Manchester City
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and are correct at the time of publication.
