Verdict: Draw
Finest odds: 3/1
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Fifth-place Manchester Metropolis play host to sixth-place Newcastle within the Premier League on Saturday afternoon on the Etihad, in what ought to be a really compelling match; each groups have loads to achieve, and many to lose.
When the 2 sides met at St. James’ Park in September, the match led to a 1-1 draw.
Manchester Metropolis
Three days after edging previous Leyton Orient within the FA Cup fourth spherical, Man Metropolis endured one other painful setback within the Champions League, surrendering a one-goal lead within the ultimate 5 minutes to undergo a 3-2 residence defeat in opposition to ruthless holders Actual Madrid in Tuesday’s playoff first leg.
Whereas Actual are famend for his or her late-game heroics on Europe’s grandest stage, Metropolis have developed an unlucky tendency to crumble within the closing phases. They’ve now misplaced 5 matches wherein they led throughout all competitions this season—matching their whole from the earlier 4 campaigns mixed.
Pricey errors proved decisive for Pep Guardiola’s ageing squad, and earlier than turning their consideration to subsequent week’s second leg on the Santiago Bernabeu, they have to refocus on their more and more difficult Premier League top-four push. With simply 12 wins from 24 league video games (D5 L7), their place stays unsure.
Metropolis’s final top-flight outing noticed them undergo a heavy 5-1 defeat to Arsenal a fortnight in the past, leaving them fifth, 18 factors adrift of leaders Liverpool, two behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and stage with sixth-placed Newcastle on each factors and objective distinction.
Nonetheless, Metropolis supporters can take coronary heart from their dominant document in opposition to Newcastle, having misplaced simply one in every of their final 34 league conferences (W27 D6) and successful their final 15 residence encounters with the Magpies. Solely three groups in top-flight historical past have recorded longer residence successful streaks in opposition to a single opponent: Everton vs. Fulham (22 from 1961–2018), Aston Villa vs. Sheffield United (16 from 1903–1921), and Man United vs. Luton (16 from 1955–current).
Workforce Information
Metropolis face harm issues over Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji, each of whom picked up muscle points in midweek and at the moment are main doubts. Oscar Bobb and Nico Gonzalez may also bear assessments, whereas Rodri stays sidelined with a long-term harm.
Akanji’s absence, after beginning at right-back in opposition to Actual Madrid, may see Guardiola flip to both Rico Lewis or Matheus Nunes on the suitable facet of defence. In the meantime, Nathan Ake could also be match to start out after that includes for an hour on his return from harm on Tuesday.
Guardiola should determine whether or not to maintain John Stones in midfield or introduce one or two of Gonzalez (if accessible), Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, or Bernardo Silva. On the flanks, the not too long ago recovered Jeremy Doku, together with Savinho, Omar Marmoush, and Phil Foden, will all compete for beginning spots.
Newcastle
Newcastle haven’t tasted Premier League victory away at Man Metropolis since a 1-0 win in September 2000, again when the Residents performed at Maine Street. Since then, the Magpies have endured a dismal 20-game winless streak on the street (D2 L18) and have failed to attain in any of their final 5 visits to the Etihad.
Nonetheless, they head to the blue half of Manchester on Saturday in wonderful away type, having received every of their final 4 league matches on the street—together with spectacular victories over Man United (2-0), Tottenham (2-1), and Arsenal (2-0). The final time they received 5 consecutive away league video games was in October 1994, the one occasion of their Premier League historical past.
Newcastle prolonged their successful away streak throughout all competitions to 6 after edging League One leaders Birmingham Metropolis 3-2 within the FA Cup fourth spherical final weekend, with Joe Willock netting a brace and Callum Wilson additionally heading in the right direction.
That victory at St Andrew’s got here simply days after they secured a spot in subsequent month’s EFL Cup ultimate, convincingly defeating Arsenal 4-0 over two legs within the semi-finals. Whereas ending their 70-year trophy drought stays a key goal for Eddie Howe’s facet, securing Champions League qualification is equally excessive on the agenda.
Their top-four hopes shall be severely examined within the coming weeks, with clashes in opposition to Man Metropolis, Nottingham Forest, and Liverpool up subsequent, adopted by conferences with Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Arsenal earlier than the season’s finish. Nonetheless, having already taken 11 factors from encounters with these six groups, Newcastle ought to welcome the problem of those high-stakes fixtures.
Workforce Information
Jamaal Lascelles (knee) and Harvey Barnes (muscle) stay unavailable, whereas Anthony Gordon (thigh), Joelinton (knee), Sven Botman (knee), and Dan Burn (groin) are all minor doubts and can bear late health assessments earlier than kickoff.
Nick Pope returned to the beginning lineup in Newcastle’s final outing, leaving Eddie Howe with a choice on whether or not to stay together with his former first-choice goalkeeper or reinstate Martin Dubravka between the posts.
Fabian Schar, Lewis Corridor, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy, and Alexander Isak are all anticipated to return to the XI after beginning on the bench within the FA Cup. Isak, who has netted 10 of his 17 Premier League objectives away from residence this season, shall be keen to interrupt his Etihad duck, having failed to attain in three earlier visits.
Conclusion
Newcastle’s away document in opposition to Man Metropolis is finest left unmentioned, however there are causes for optimism forward of Saturday’s conflict. This fixture presents one in every of their finest alternatives lately to assert a consequence in opposition to a mentally and bodily weak Metropolis facet.
Each groups are more likely to get on the scoresheet—particularly the hosts, who’ve netted in every of their final 32 Premier League conferences with Newcastle. Nonetheless, Guardiola’s males might discover it tough to say dominance in opposition to a well-drilled and disciplined Magpies outfit, making a rating draw an actual chance.
Verdict: Draw
Finest odds: 3/1
Bookmaker: ZetBet
