Manchester City vs. Newcastle United Preview: Teams News, Lineups, Prediction

The reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City will continue their push to defend their league title against Newscastle United.

In recent times, especially in the 2023-2024 Premier League season, Newcastle United have proven that they are no longer minnows in the league. They finished 4th last season which qualifies them for this season’s UEFA Champions League campaign.

However, their visit to the Etihad Stadium at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 19, will be a huge test for coach Eddie Howe who started this season on a very high note. Recall that Newcastle United defeated Aston Villa 5-1 in their league opener last weekend. That win makes it five straight times they have won a league game from last season to this new season.

Can they continue that unbeaten run in the league against coach Pep Guardiola and his boys on Saturday night? Well, only time can tell.

But Manchester City have proven recently that they are beatable as they lost the Community Shield to Arsenal earlier this month. They also came from behind to draw with Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup before they beat the Spanish team via penalties.

However, coach Guardiola and his boys reignited their form in the Premier League when they defeated newly promoted Burnley 3-0 at Turf Moor last weekend.

Manchester City vs. Newcastle United: Team News

Kevin De Bruyne’s involvement in the 2023 Champions League final was cut short shortly after it began because of an hamstring injury. The Belgian international will be sidelined for the next three to four months due to the same issue after being forced out of the game against Burnley last weekend.

With the imminent absence of De Bruyne, Palmer who has been a more than capable replacement for the midfielder so far this season, is expected to continue to stand in for the Belgian.

Meanwhile, due to the number of games City have had to play in the last two weeks, Guardiola should be considering several changes, including the return of Bernardo Silva after an illness. Julian Alvarez and Rico Lewis may also make their first-team comebacks this weekend.

Newcastle emerged from their 5-1 victory over Villa with no fresh fitness concerns, aside from their already existing injury list of Emil Krafth (knee), Joe Willock (hamstring), and Javier Manquillo (groin).

Howe will undoubtedly stick with the majority of his standout players from the previous weekend, including Isak and Barnes.

Manchester City Probable Lineup:
Ederson; Ake, Akanji, Gvardiol, Lewis; Rodri, Kovacic; Silva, Alvarez, Grealish; Haaland

Newcastle United Probable Lineup:
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Barnes

Prediction: Manchester City have a 56 percent chance of beating Newcastle United on Saturday night. Based on that, City will take the day with a 2-0 win.