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Manchester City takes on Newcastle at home in the first fixture of the 26th Premier League game week of the 2022/2023 Premier league campaign.
The champions will see their 46th clash with the Magpies in the English top flight for the second time in the Premier League this season, this time at the Etihad after their 3-3 encounter last year at St James Park
City have two victories in their last three Premier League games against Newcastle in 4-0 and 5-0 wins respectively yet these comfortable results unfolded before this season and Eddie Howe’s men have been phenomenal in this campaign despite their recent defeat to Manchester United in the League Cup Final.
City will be without Aymeric Laporte who is said to be I’ll according to reports and Goalkeeper Stephan Ortega is unlikely to feature following a minor hand injury.
Kyle Walker is likely to replace Rico Lewis at right back with Brazilian shot-stopper Ederson, a single game away from a century of clean sheets in the Premier League.
City sit in second place on the Premier League table, five points behind an astronomical Arsenal side led by Mikel Arteta as Newcastle lies in fifth place after losing just two games this season.
WHERE AND WHEN?
Date: 4th March 2023
Time: 12:30 GMT
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
TEAM NEWS
Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundowan are both likely to feature in the starting XI for Manchester City.
Haaland is expected to lead the attacking line replacing World Champion Julian Alvarez with Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez accompanying the Norwegian in the attack.
However, Newcastle will have main shot-stopper Nick Pope back in goal after his one-match ban in the Carabao Cup Final leaving Loris Karius on the bench.
Bruno Guimaraes is expected to continue in action despite picking an ankle injury against Manchester United in last weekend’s Cup final.
TACTICAL ANALYSIS.
Manchester City know that a slip would mean their chances of winning the premier league for the third consecutive time would be shrouded hence the need for Pep’s men to cling onto all three points on Saturday at lunchtime.
City will look to thrive on the half spaces in the Newcastle midfield and look to break Newcastle down with Kevin De Bryne’s defensive splitting passes yet Howe’s men will most likely sit deep and soak the pressure, then hit the Citizens on the break.
Newcastle has recorded just one win in their last 7 premier league games and Eddie Howe’s men know that at least a point must be secured away from home at the Etihad.
Almiron and Saint Maxima will look to cause City problems despite the likely return of Kyle Walker to right back over Rico Lewis.
Bruno Guimaraes is likely to give Newcastle control alongside Longstaff in midfield as the magpies look to record another win at the Etihad since the glory days of Alan Shearer.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Manchester City possible XI:
Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Foden, Haaland, Grealish
Newcastle United possible XI:
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Saint Maxima.
MATCH PREDICTION
Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle
