Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team host struggling Newcastle on Saturday, with both sides left frustrated after failure to win last weekend. Guardiola’s side drew 1-1 against a spirited Wolves team at Molineux, but were made to rue missed chances, while the Magpies went on the defensive throughout their game against Chelsea, accumulating just 19% possession and it almost paid off for them, until they conceded an own goal with just seven minutes of the game to go.
Renowned pragmatist Rafa Benitez is likely to set his side up in the same way against City this weekend, but it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to withstand the Citizens’ onslaught. Even without Kevin de Bruyne, this City side are relentless and are patient enough to sit and wait for the opposition to tire.
To compound the Toon Army’s misery, they lost in midweek to Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. Although they’re now eliminated from the cup, it’s a result unlikely to phase Benitez, who’s main priority is to ensure that Newcastle survive in the Premier League this season.
As for Guardiola, his City team will be expected to pick up three points against their opposition who are yet to record a victory this season. Newcastle will set up to be defensive, but it’s more of a question of how many will they score, rather than will they win?
Manchester City vs. Newcastle Predictions
It’s hard to see Newcastle getting anything out of this game. They defended valiantly against Chelsea last weekend, but Manchester City will be much for penetrating and if they score early, it could be a very long afternoon for Magpies fans.
Manchester City vs. Newcastle Betting Tips
Head to Head
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 21 top-flight games against Newcastle (W18 D3). It’s their longest ever unbeaten run against a specific top-flight opponent, as well as being Newcastle’s longest such winless run.
- Newcastle have lost each of their last nine away league matches at the Etihad, conceding 32 goals and scoring just six in reply.
- Manchester City have won all seven of their Premier League matches in September under Pep Guardiola, scoring 26 goals and conceding just twice; Guardiola hasn’t lost a match in all competitions as a manager in September since September 2010 (Barcelona 0-2 Hercules) and is unbeaten in 41 games since (W35 D6).
- Newcastle have collected just six points in their last nine away Premier League games (P9 W1 D3 L5) since winning back to back away matches against West Ham and Stoke City.
- Sergio Aguero has scored 12 goals in just seven home Premier League appearances in 2018 – the same number scored at home by Chelsea as a team this calendar year.
- Newcastle have registered the lowest average possession figure in the Premier League this season (33.5%) while opponents Man City have the second highest (68.7%) behind Chelsea.
- Newcastle completed just 247 passes in their two Premier League matches against Man City last season – only Huddersfield completed fewer against an opponent during 2017- 18 (202, also against Man City).
- Sergio Aguero’s 14 Premier League goals against Newcastle for Manchester City is a record for goals scored against an opponent for a single club.
Manchester City Team News
Kevin de Bruyne and Claudio Bravo are both long-term absentees, with the Belgian midfielder suffering from a knee ligament injury, while Bravo is out with an achilles problem. Danilo is also out, while Guardiola could rotate his team, with Leroy Sane coming in for a first start of the season.
Newcastle Team News
Javier Manquillo and Deandre Yedlin will both face late fitness tests prior to their trip to the Etihad Stadium. Florian Lejeune is a long-term casualty with an ACL injury. Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Ritchie had a training ground bust-up and it’s unknown whether either will feature this weekend.
@dominictrant