Manchester City are ready to crank up the title pressure this weekend, but Newcastle are plotting to shatter their Etihad curse after a European adventure.
Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut can cut the gap on Arsenal to just two points come Saturday night if results go their way, and you wouldn’t bet against them. The champions have mastered these run ins like nobody else, with six titles under the Catalan gaffer proving they know how to get over the line when it matters.
But standing in their way is a Newcastle side still buzzing from their midweek heroics, thrashing Qarabag on the longest away day in English football history. Eddie Howe’s men were magnificent in Azerbaijan, though that gruelling trek east has raised eyebrows about whether their tanks might be empty come 8pm at the Etihad.
The Magpies’ away form in the league has been patchy at best, and the stats make grim reading for the travelling faithful, they’ve NEVER won a league game at City’s fortress. Not once. Sixteen visits, sixteen defeats. It’s the kind of record that haunts you.
TEAM NEWS
City have been dealt a blow with Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic still sidelined, while Jeremy Doku and Savinho are major doubts. But here’s the scary bit, Erling Haaland is expected to be back after getting a rest in the FA Cup. As if City weren’t dangerous enough.
Newcastle have been rocked by the loss of skipper Bruno Guimaraes, his hamstring ruling him out of this crunch clash. Joelinton will step into the breach after being wrapped in cotton wool for the Qarabag game.
Anthony Gordon bagged FOUR in midweek and could lead the line again, while Harvey Barnes is desperate to keep his spot after bagging a brace in that stunning win over City at St James’ Park earlier this term.
THE STATS THAT MATTER
City’s dominance on home soil against Newcastle is bordering on the ridiculous. They’re unbeaten in 21 Premier League meetings at the Etihad, winning the last 16 on the spin. Only Everton against Fulham (22 between 1961/2018) has a longer winning home run against a single opponent in top flight history.
Newcastle are chasing their first league double over City since 1983/1984 and you’ve got to go all the way back to 1955/1956 for the last time they done it in the top tier.
Since that mad 5-4 win over Fulham back in December where they conceded four, City have tightened up big time. Just eight goals conceded in 12 league games, the best defensive record in the division over that spell. Gianluigi Donnarumma has been a wall between the sticks, saving three goals more than expected based on the chances he’s faced.
Here’s a worrying one for Toon fans, their last NINE away league wins have come against sides starting the day in the bottom half. Against top half opposition on the road? Winless in ten. And if you’re looking at trips to teams in the top two, it gets even uglier, 37 games without a win since nicking it 3-1 at Arsenal in December 2001.
English managers don’t fare much better at the Etihad either. Since 2010/2011, 76 have tried their luck away at City in the league. Only ONE has come away with three points, Roy Hodgson’s Palace winning 3-2 back in December 2018.
HOW TO WATCH
It’s an 8pm kick off live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+, with the floodlights beaming down on what should be a cracker.
PREDICTION
City’s march towards the summit shows no sign of stopping. Newcastle’s Euro hangover could hit hard against a side hunting down Arsenal.
Man City 3-1 Newcastle
