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Man City face top four candidates Newcastle in their first home game of the campaign. This will be a real test for the Citizens, who come off the back of an extremely busy week. This game kicks off at 8pm UK time and will take place at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City
City secured their latest piece of silverware on Wednesday evening as they overcame Europa League winners Sevilla in the Super Cup. It was far from a vintage performance from the Premier League champions, who triumphed in a penalty shootout, and this is far from an ideal fixture for Pep’s men.
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City will be without Kevin de Bruyne, who is out until the beginning of 2024. Phil Foden deputised for the Belgian on Wednesday night and the playmaker’s absence has also paved the way for the highly-rated Cole Palmer to break into the starting XI. Bernardo Silva also missed the midweek match, although the Portuguese star should return this weekend having shook off a virus.
Pep’s side opened the PL season with a thoroughly convincing display. They overcame a potentially tricky assignment at Turf Moor as they swatted aside top flight returnees Burnley. Erling Haaland carried on where he left off last season with another couple of goals and the Norwegian is likely to ask plenty of questions of Newcastle’s defence on Saturday night. He didn’t score in City’s 2-0 victory here last season, although he did notch in the thrilling 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park back in August 2022.
Newcastle
Newcastle made the perfect start to the new campaign with an eye-catching display on Tyneside. Roared on by the home crowd, Eddie Howe’s side were 5-1 victors over fellow top 7 candidates Aston Villa and looked relentless going forward. They were also helped by some kamikaze Villa defending and they are unlikely to be the beneficiaries of such generosity on Saturday evening.
The Magpies were exceptional at home last season and they were incredibly to breach, however, their away form was a little more inconsistent. They won just one of their last four away matches (vs Everton) and failed to keep an away clean sheet from mid-January onwards.
The visitors have had a full week to prepare for this tie and that is likely to be an advantage. They still have a few injuries within their squad, mainly in defence, however, the majority of their attacking players will be available.
Newcastle failed to score in five of their six visits to fellow top seven sides last season and another tough test awaits.
Head to Head
Newcastle and Man City contested one of the most entertaining games of the season when they played out a 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park. In the reverse fixture, City were the better side and deservedly won 2-0.
City have won eight consecutive meetings between these two sides at this venue with Newcastle failing to score in the last four. Newcastle’s last victory at this venue came back in 2014 with Rolando Aarons and Moussa Sissoko getting on the scoresheet.
Key Betting Stats
- Newcastle haven’t scored a PL goal at this venue since 2018 (DeAndre Yedlin)
- These two sides conceded the fewest goals in the PL last season (an average of 0.87 goals per game)
- Newcastle kept just five clean sheets on the road last season. However, only four sides scored 2+ goals when hosting them including Manchester City.
- Man City scored an average of 3.16 goals per game at home last season. They netted 2+ goals when hosting each member of the top seven.
- Kevin de Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez were responsible for a combined 26 assists last season. Neither will be in the XI this weekend (injured/sold)
- Three Newcastle players scored 10+ goals last season, all three are likely to start this contest.
Match Prediction
Despite the hectic schedule and the loss of KDB, Man City always seem to find a way to win at home. Newcastle enjoyed a terrific opening day victory and they look set to challenge for the top four once again. However, the Toon’s away record against better sides last season is unremarkable and they may be susceptible to an individual moment of brilliance.
Winning Combo
Man City to Win, Under 3.5 Goals and Erling Haaland to Score Anytime
Odds – 2.98 with Betfair’s Bet Builder
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