Manchester City vs Newcastle news: Citizens to unleash frustrations on future title challengers
- Seb Sternik
- 8 May 2022
With Liverpool dropping crucial points in the title race, Manchester City have been handed a golden opportunity to go three points clear at the top.
Considering their financial muscle, it's likely that Newcastle United will gradually join the Premier League title race over the next few years.
However, the Magpies could have a more immediate impact on the future of the league crown when they travel to the Etihad for an all-important clash with Manchester City.
Following their Champions League exit in Madrid, the Citizens come into this fixture in the form of a wounded animal.
But as the saying goes, a wounded animal is also a dangerous animal - something Pep Guardiola will be hoping to prove as Man City look to close in on the title.
With Liverpool slipping up against Tottenham, the defending champions have been handed a rare opportunity to move three-points ahead.
Question is, can they take full advantage, or will they once again freeze on the big stage?
When: Sunday, May 8, 16:30 BST
Where: Etihad Stadium
Where to watch: Sky Sports
Who is the ref for Manchester City vs Newcastle?
Stuart Attwell will take charge of proceedings on Sunday in what will be his 19th Premier League outing of the ongoing campaign.
His last visit to the Etihad saw Man City thrash Everton 3-0 in November. Seven days later, he took charge of his sole Newcastle game this season - one which ended in a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Premier League season stats 2021/22: Matches (18), yellow cards (62), red cards (1), penalties (5)
Recent form
Manchester City's collapse against Real Madrid was just their second defeat in 16 competitive games.
Putting Europe to one side, the Citizens have been pretty ruthless in their last three Premier League outings, winning 4-0 away at Leeds, thrashing Watford 5-1 at the Etihad and beating Brighton 3-0, also on home turf.
Newcastle have also been in good form, winning four of their last five Premier League games.
The Magpies saw their winning run ended last weekend against Liverpool, but considering it was a slender 1-0 loss, Eddie Howe's men certainly held their heads high.
Last time out
Newcastle 0-4 Manchester City (Premier League - December 19, 2021)
Guardiola's machine was in full flow as they tore Newcastle's defence to shreds at St James' Park.
Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo gave the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break, while Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling doubled the advantage in the second-half.
Past ten matches
Manchester City wins: 7
Draws: 2
Newcastle wins: 1
Manchester City goals: 25
Newcastle goals: 10
Managers' thoughts:
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola when asked whether his team will try to forget about their Champions League exit: "Why forget it? We are going to go into the game against Newcastle thinking about that."
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe on what kind of Man City performance he expects on Sunday: "From our perspective, we will 100 per cent prepare for the best Manchester City and in that respect, we have to be the best Newcastle we can be."
Predicted Manchester City vs Newcastle teams
Guardiola is expected to be without Kyle Walker and John Stones, who continue to recover from ankle and muscle injuries.
Newcastle also have injury worries with Ryan Fraser, Isaac Hayden, Jamal Lewis and Fabian Schar all set to miss out.
In better news, Kieran Trippier could be involved with the matchday squad after returning to training. The same goes for Callum Wilson.
Possible Manchester City starting line-up: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko, Bernardo, Rodri, De Bruyne, Sterling, Foden, Grealish
Possible Newcastle starting line-up: Dubravka, Krafth, Lascelles, Burn, Targett, Willock, Shelvey, Guimaraes, Almiron, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin
Manchester City vs Newcastle United prediction
With title rivals dropping points and redemption on their mind, Manchester City are certainly not short of motivation ahead of this game.
While the Magpies have improved significantly since their last head-to-head, City will prove too hot to handle at the Etihad. We're backing a two-goal win for the hosts.
