Manchester City will look to continue their charge towards a fifth consecutive Premier League title on Saturday lunchtime when they visit Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The Cityzens were embroiled in a thoroughly entertaining and controversial meeting with championship rivals Arsenal last week, eventually breaking through the Gunners’ stern rearguard to salvage a 2-2 draw despite having a player advantage for most of the match.
Hosts Newcastle, meanwhile, saw their unbeaten start to the league campaign come to a disappointing end in a 3-1 defeat at Fulham last time out. They were due to be in midweek Carabao Cup action against Wimbledon, but extensive flooding means that fixture had to be postponed.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Gameweek 6’s opener on Saturday.
Newcastle vs Man City H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Newcastle vs Man City on TV and live stream
Newcastle team news
Given their midweek match was called off, Newcastle’s squad was given a welcome break and should be fresh for what will be a major test of their own hopes for the 2024/25 campaign. They still have their fair share of injury concerns, however,
Manager Eddie Howe remains without central defenders Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, while midfielder Lewis Miley and forward Callum Wilson remain unavailable.
Harvey Barnes has been the Magpies’ standout performer at the start of the season and has scored in three successive league games. He should start on the right wing in an attack featuring Anthony Gordon on the opposite flank, but Alexander Isak is a major doubt. The Swedish striker has a minor toe fracture and hasn’t trained all week.
Newcastle predicted lineup vs Man City
Newcastle predicted lineup vs Man City (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Barnes, Isak, Gordon.
Man City team news
Man City were dealt a cruel injury blow in their title tussle with Arsenal last week as midfield star Rodri was downed with a ligament problem in his knee. The Spaniard is expected to miss most of the season, leaving Pep Guardiola in need of a new stabilising presence in the middle of the park.
The former Barcelona boss also has worries over Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness. The Belgian made his comeback from a severe injury in this fixture last season, inspiring his side to a dramatic 3-2 success after coming on as a 69th-minute substitute.
Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake remain on the sidelines, with plenty of changes expected from the starting XI that beat Watford on Tuesday.
Man City predicted lineup vs Newcastle (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Stones; Savinho, Gundogan, Foden, Doku; Haaland.
The gauntlet has been thrown down to City as they seek to retain their Premier League title. Can they perform consistently without Rodri, who has so often powered his side to victory when they’ve looked out of sorts?
Guardiola has undoubted quality he can turn to in his compatriot’s absence, with other midfielders like Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic capable of stepping up.
Newcastle have lost ten of their last 12 games against City and the defeat at Fulham was hardly good preparation ahead of their clash with the English champions. They may breach City’s defence, but expect the visitors to consolidate their place at the top of the Premier League table with a victory.
