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Desperate three points

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Newcastle United vs Manchester City preview

Before the start of the current season, based on form and the transfers that happened, many people would have believed Newcastle United would finish somewhere in the Champions League places. And this was backed by good reason: Newcastle were playing like a well-drilled unit, finishing in the Champions League places last season. On top of that, they had also made some smart additions to their squad in the summer transfer market.

However, this season, we have witnessed a massive decline as the team have failed to deliver in a season where they are involved in multiple competitions. The Magpies have lost five of their last six games and are in the ninth spot. Their defeats against newly promoted Luton Town on the road and Nottingham Forest at home have raised serious concerns.

The suspension of Sandro Tonali for gambling charges has also made Newcastle weaker in the midfield. And it is under these circumstances they will welcome defending champions Manchester City at St. James Park.

Pep Guardiola’s team has also been far from perfect, but such is their high standards that they are only five points behind league leader Liverpool with a game in hand. However, the biggest news at the Etihad is that their creative genius Kevin de Bruyne is back after a lengthy injury spell. The Belgian has been integral to City’s team, winning five Premier League titles.

On the other hand, Newcastle United’s last win came 27 days before. Eddie Howe, however, has defended his players. After the defeat against Liverpool, Howe said,” I can see light at the end of the tunnel if my players continue to give me their all”.

The main focus for City now will be to ensure they don’t give Liverpool any chance to increase their lead further. Erling Haaland will also return from his injury, giving Guardiola further firepower in the attack.

 

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Newcastle United vs Manchester City predicted lineups

Newcastle United predicted lineups

One of the reasons for Newcastle’s recent poor form has been the long list of injuries that have come at the worst time possible. At the time of writing this article, Callum Wilson, Matt Targett, Joe Willock, Joelinton, Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson and Javi Manquillo are all likely to miss the clash against the champions.

This has left Howe with little choice but to throw the talented 17-year-old Lewis Miley into the biggest test of his life. Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, and Dan Burn will form the back four ahead of Martin Dubravka, who has been phenomenal after Pope’s injury.

Willey will partner Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff in midfield with Antony Gordon, Miguel Almiron and Alexander Isak forming an attacking triumverate.

Newcastle United Predicted XI: Dubravka; Burn, Botman, Schar, Trippier; Milley, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Gordon, Isak, Almiron 

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Manchester City team news 

The return of Kevin de Bruyne has already strengthened the team’s midfield. However, John Stones, Haaland, Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Kalvin Phillips and Bernardo Silva are all in a race to be ready for the game. However, Guardiola has always been very cautious about slowly integrating a player who has returned from an injury.

So, he could opt for a weakened lineup to save his players from an injury scare. Ederson will start in goal behind a back four of Walker, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, and Josko Gvardiol. With De Bruyne only expected to make a substitute appearance, Rico Lewis will be rewarded with a post alongside number six Rodri and Kovacic. In attack, we could see Phil Foden and Jack Grealish playing on either side of lone striker Julian Alvarez.

Manchester City Predicted XI: Ederson; Guardiola, Ake, Dias, Walker; Kovacic, Rodri, Lewis; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish 

Newcastle United vs Manchester City predictions 

One of the main differences between a champion team and the one who finishes second or third is the former’s ability to win on a bad day and the latter’s day to not grab the game’s decisive moments. Manchester City and Newcastle are two perfect examples of this.

City are still in the title race despite playing far from their best football because they won the tight games while Newcastle faltered (their 2-1 loss against ten-man Liverpool an excellent instance of this) on key occasion where they could have won the game easily.

However, Newcastle know that a win at home against City is precisely the thing that can provide them with momentum to turn their season around. With their weakened squad, though, it looks a very tall order.

FootTheBall predicts a 3-1 win for Manchester City.

Saumy Deepak Tripathi
A Bayern Munich fan who is deeply in love with football statistics. Has a soft spot for goalkeepers! (well only he knows why). You’ll find him vibing on 70’s classic songs and spends an abnormal amount of time cooking.

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