“Newcastle have arrived and want to stay for a long, long time … I am sure they have already forgotten [the cup-final defeat] and want to finish the Premier League as high as possible … I expect the best from Newcastle … always we take a look at opponents, now Arsenal, in the past Liverpool … obviously we would prefer they lose, that is normal …
But [Arsenal] make 50 points in the first leg of the season, they are so consistent, so we know we can drop few points if we want to stay there until the end … I have said for many months that Manchester United are back … the strangeness of the last seven or eight years was that they were not there.”
Manchester City make two changes to the starting XI selected for the 4-1 rout of Bournemouth last weekend. Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker replace Julian Alvarez and Rico Lewis, who both drop to the bench.
Talking points
Coach Pep Guardiola said in the pre-match press conference that he believes club legend Vincent Kompany will manage the Citizens in the future: “Personally, I am delighted for his success in Burnley. He will be back sooner or later. His destiny to be manager of City is already written in the stars. It’s going to happen.
I don’t know when but it’s going to happen”.
City secured passage to the quarterfinals of the FA Cup on Tuesday night with a 3-0 away victory over Bristol City thanks to a Phil Foden brace and Kevin De Bruyne goal. That triumph followed a 4-1 win at Bournemouth in the Premier League, with Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Foden all scoring one and assisting one in a clinical display.
The Magpies last played in the league on 18 February, losing 2-0 at St James’ Park against Liverpool. Last weekend, they lost by the same scoreline in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.
City and Newcastle played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park back in August. City took an early fifth minute lead through Ilkay Gundogan but the hosts replied through Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson before a Kieran Trippier free-kick further extended their advantage after the break. However City resolved, hitting back to score twice inside four minutes with Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva to draw.
Prediction
Manchester City need to put more pressure on Arsenal that are currently five points ahead and the Citizens are expected to win at home against Newcastle. Pick: Manchester City 2, Newcastle 1.
Newcastle United make three changes to the team named for the League Cup final. Nick Pope returns in goal after suspension, replacing Loris Karius, while Martin Dubravka sits on the bench. Fabian Schar is injured so club captain Jamaal Lascelles takes his place, while Anthony Gordon makes his first start for the club since joining from Everton, Allan Saint-Maximin dropping to the bench.
The teams
Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan Foden, Grealish, Haaland.
Subs: Ortega, Phillips, Stones, Laporte, Alvarez, Silva, Mahrez, Palmer, Lewis.
Newcastle United: Pope, Trippier, Lascelles, Botman, Burn, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Almiron, Wilson, Gordon.
Subs: Dubravka, Saint-Maximin, Ritchie, Targett, Isak, Manquillo, Murphy, Willock, Anderson.