Manchester City, fresh off another collapse, take on Newcastle at the Etihad in a contest which could have a big bearing on the Premier League’s top-four race.<\/p>\n
The Cityzens seemed destined to take a 2-1 lead into the second leg of their Champions League play-off with Real Madrid on Tuesday night, but inexplicably conceded twice in the dying embers of the contest to leave them with a mountain to climb in Madrid.<\/p>\n
City supporters have grown familiar with such capitulations this term, and their sharp decline in 2024\/25 leaves them chasing a Champions League berth as opposed to a fifth-straight league title.<\/p>\n
Pep Guardiola’s side are fifth in the table but level on points with their upcoming opponents. With Chelsea two points ahead but stumbling in the new year, Saturday is a big game for both teams.<\/p>\n
Newcastle had shown signs of faltering in the league, but their spirits have been boosted by back-to-back wins in two domestic cup competitions. They’ve booked their place in the Carabao Cup final are are into the fifth round of the FA Cup.<\/p>\n
The Magpies will benefit from having the week off heading into Saturday’s game, but the task remains daunting for the away side. They haven’t won away at Man City in the Premier League since 2000.<\/p>\n
Man City suffered a couple more injury setbacks in midweek as Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji were both forced off. Neither player is likely to play a role this weekend.<\/p>\n
However, John Stones got through 90 minutes against Real Madrid and should be in contention for another start alongside Ruben Dias. Nathan Ake’s minutes are being managed given his injury woes this season.<\/p>\n
Nico Gonzalez was an unused substitute in the week after suffering a knock at Leyton Orient. He should get minutes in the tank on Saturday. Omar Marmoush is poised for a return to the starting XI, but Guardiola also has Jeremy Doku available.<\/p>\n
Man City predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Stones; Savinho, Foden, Gundogan, Marmoush; Haaland.<\/p>\n
Anthony Gordon and Sven Botman both missed last week’s 3-2 win at Birmingham in the FA Cup, while Dan Burn was forced off with a groin issue.<\/p>\n
However, Howe has confirmed that Gordon has recovered from a thigh injury and will be available this weekend. Botman won’t be out for the long haul but will miss Saturday’s game, and there have been positive updates regarding Burn. The towering defender is merely a doubt for the trip to the Etihad.<\/p>\n
Newcastle predicted lineup vs Man City (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"