Manchester City v Newcastle – Line-ups, stats and preview

Manchester City v Newcastle Match Preview

Manchester City are in omionously good form and could end the weekend just two points behind Arsenal after the Gunners dropped points at Wolves in midweek.

Pep Guardiola’s side are masters of the run-in having won the title six times under the Spaniard and will be looking to pile the pressure on with a win at home to Newcastle.

Eddie Howe’s side were magnificent on the road in midweek, thrashing Qarabag on the longest trip ever taken by an English side in the Champions League.

What will that travel mean to Howe and his squad though? They already have a poor away record in the Premier League this season and have never won a league game at the Etihad.

Manchester City v Newcastle team news

City rested Erling Haaland for their FA Cup win last weekend but the Norwegian goal machine is expected to be fit to play. Defender Josko Gvardiol and midfielder Mateo Kovacic remain long-term absentees, while wingers Jeremy Doku and Savinho are doubts.

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes is definitely out with a hamstring problem so Joelinton will start after being rested against Qarabag.

Anthony Gordon scored four goals in that game as the main forward so could continue there, while Harvey Barnes will be hoping to keep his place after scoring twice in the win over City at home earlier in the season.

Manchester City v Newcastle expected line-ups

City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, O’Reilly; Bernardo, Cherki; Semenyo, Haaland

Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Joelinton, Tonali; Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes; Gordon

The stats

• Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 21 Premier League home games against Newcastle, winning each of the last 16. In English top-flight history, only Everton have had a longer winning home run against an opponent (22 vs Fulham between 1961 and 2018).
• Newcastle are looking to complete their first league double over Manchester City since 1983-84 (second tier), and first in the top-flight since 1955-56. However, their 20 games at the Etihad Stadium is the most a team has played at a venue without ever winning in Premier League history (D2 L18).
• Since conceding four goals in a 5-4 win over Fulham in December, Manchester City have only conceded eight goals in 12 Premier League matches, the fewest of any side in that time (MD15 onwards), with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma preventing exactly three goals based on his xGoT in that time (11 xGoT, 8 conceded).
• Each of Newcastle’s last nine Premier League away wins have been against teams starting the day in the bottom half of the table. They’re winless in 10 on the road against top half teams (D3 L7) since a 3-1 win at Nottingham Forest in November 2024, while they’re winless in 37 at sides in the top two (D5 L32) since a 3-1 win at Arsenal in December 2001.
• Since the 2010-11 season, English managers have taken charge of 76 away Premier League matches at Manchester City – only one has won, with Roy Hodgson leading Crystal Palace to a 3-2 win in December 2018 (D8 L67).

How to watch Manchester City v Newcastle

The match is an 8pm kick-off (UK time) and is broadcast on TNT Sports 1. It can be streamed on discovery+.

Prediction

What To Do If You Have A Gambling Problem

We understand that gambling can be fun, but it is always important to gamble responsibly. If you are struggling with a gambling problem, please do not hesitate to ask for help. There are people who can help you get on the road to recovery. Below, we have listed some helpful resources to help aid you on the road to recovery.

• National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
• GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware: www.gambleaware.com