Manchester City vs Newcastle United odds and betting statistics
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Manchester City vs Newcastle United match preview
The big question before a ball was kicked this season was: can anybody challenge Manchester City?
Well, this Saturday night clash at the Etihad may help to answer this question, with one of their potential challengers visiting East Manchester.
On the opening Friday night of the season, the Sky Blues’ quest for a record-breaking fourth consecutive top-flight title began with a routine 3-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.
Erling Braut Håland scoring twice, despite only touching the ball 27 times all night, before Rodri capped off a commanding victory towards the end.
Then, on Wednesday, Pep Guardiola’s team picked up their fourth major trophy of 2023, claiming the club’s first-ever UEFA Super Cup.
The Citizens actually went a goal down against Sevilla at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, but Cole Palmer’s second half header forced a penalty shootout in Piraeus.
That though was an energy-sapping night’s work in Greece, so could Manchester City be vulnerable here?
As for Newcastle United, this’ll be their 19th league visit to the Etihad and, to date, they’ve never won one, losing each of the last 14, their most-recent victory in this fixture coming at Maine Road in September 2000.
However, sat top of the table at the start of the day, the Magpies have surely never been in better shape to end this miserable sequence.
Last Saturday night, Eddie Howe’s side enjoyed a statement victory on the opening weekend of the season, demolishing Aston Villa 5-1 at St James’ Park.
Sandro Tonali scored just six minutes into his debut and Alexander Isak bagged a brace, before Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes both came off the bench to cap off a five-star showing.
The Magpies next two fixtures are Liverpool (H) and Brighton (A), so they certainly have not been given the easiest start to the campaign, as Newcastle aim to repeat last season’s top four finish.
Here, can the Toon Army become the first team, in any competition, to beat Man City at the Etihad since 12 November?
Manchester City team news
It was confirmed this week that Kevin De Bruyne will be out for around four months, which is certainly a massive blow.
In Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup, Pep Guardiola made just one substitution, with Julián Álvarez introduced just before the penalty shootout.
Thus, one would have to assume that those who sat on the bench all night are leading candidates to start here.
Applying this logic, Rúben Dias and John Stones will return to defence, while Rico Lewis will also be hoping to start, as he did at Turf Moor.
Joško Gvardiol made his full debut for the club in Greece, while Aymeric Laporte is unlikely to feature, as he edges closer to a move to Al-Nassr.
Bernardo Silva missed the trip to Piraeus due to illness, it’s unknown whether he’ll be available here, but Cole Palmer could be the perfect deputy, having scored against both Arsenal and Sevilla already this season.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Rúben Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovačić, Foden, Palmer, Grealish; Håland.
Newcastle United team news
Newcastle, in contrast, have had a free week to prepare for this huge test, so will Eddie Howe name an unchanged XI?
Nick Pope has a miserable record against Manchester City, conceding 33 goals in 11 appearances, yet to win or keep a clean sheet when facing the champions.
Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes both marked their debuts with a goal against Aston Villa, with the latter hoping to come into the XI at Anthony Gordon’s expense.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope, Trippier, Schär, Botman, Burn; Guimarães, Tonali, Joelinton; Almirón, Isak, Barnes.
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