Newcastle United vs Manchester City preview: Magpies hope to bounce back against in-form Cityzens

Newcastle United hosts red-hot Manchester City at St James’ Park on Saturday evening.

The Magpies suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats to West Ham and Brentford, losing 3-1 to the latter just before the international break.

City continued their winning streak against champions Liverpool as they hammered the Reds 3-0 in their last outing.

Match preview

Newcastle United have won just one of their last 35 Premier League meetings with Manchester City (D6 L28), a 2-1 home win in January 2019 under Rafael Benítez.

Manchester City have won 12 Premier League away games against Newcastle, their joint-most away victories against an opponent in the competition (also 12 vs Everton).

Pep Guardiola’s side have scored in each of their last 33 Premier League games against Newcastle. Only three sides have had a longer scoring streak against an opponent in top-flight history.

The Magpies have lost their last two Premier League games, last losing more consecutively in January 2024 (4). They’ve opened the scoring in both of their last two, never losing three in a row when leading each time.

The Citizens have lost two of their first three Premier League games this season (W1), conceding four goals in the process. Since then they’ve lost just one of their last eight (W6 D1), conceding just another four goals in this run.

Newcastle have lost three Premier League games despite scoring first this season, going down against Arsenal (1-2), West Ham (1-3) and Brentford (1-3).

Eddie Howe has won none of his 18 Premier League meetings with Man City (D2 L16); it’s the most a manager has faced an opponent in the competition without ever winning.

Erling Haaland has 14 Premier League goals this season, almost twice as many as the next highest scorer (Igor Thiago, 8). His next goal will be his 100th in the competition, while a goal in this match (or indeed any of his next 15 apps) will make him the fastest to reach this milestone.

Team news

Newcastle United

Nick Pope and Joelinton were both forced off in the defeat to Brentford last time out and were absent from their respective national teams, remaining doubts for this fixture.

Anthony Gordon, Osula and Tino Livramento will be assessed ahead of the game. Yoane Wissa is still sidelined with a knee injury, and he’s yet to make his debut for the Magpies.

Dan Burn is suspended after he was sent off against Brentford.

Manchester City

Mateo Kovacic remains out with an ankle injury, and Rodri is a doubt for the trip to Tyneside.

Predicted line-ups

Newcastle United: Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Ramsey, Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, Nick Woltemade.

Manchester City: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly, Bernardo Silva, Nico González, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Jérémy Doku, Erling Haaland.