MY ACCOUNT
After crashing out of the Champions League in dramatic circumstances, Manchester City will attempt to get back on track when they return to Premier League action against Newcastle United on Sunday.
City can’t afford to dwell on their exit from the Champions League with Liverpool breathing down their necks in the race for the Premier League title.
They can take some comfort from their recent league form as they prepare to welcome Newcastle to the Etihad on Sunday, having enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten run with six victories during that sequence.
The Citizens have also only lost twice at home all season, scoring a league-high 50 goals in their 17 previous outings at the Etihad.
Newcastle head to Manchester completely safe from relegation and seeking a top-half finish, something few would have predicted after they failed to win any of their opening 14 fixtures.
Their takeover, appointment of Eddie Howe and influx of fresh faces in January have unequivocally played a major role.
Things are looking extremely bright for the club from the Northeast and, having made Liverpool fight for a 1-0 win in their last outing, Newcastle won’t be rolling over when they head to Manchester.
Team news
Right-back Kyle Walker returned from an ankle injury to face Real Madrid on Wednesday, although he is rated as a doubt for this clash after limping off with 72 minutes on the clock at the Bernabeu.
John Stones missed the trip to Spain and he could be set to sit this encounter out too as he continues his recovery from a thigh problem.
Newcastle look set to receive a huge boost in their attacking line after Eddie Howe revealed there is a “good chance” Callum Wilson will feature for the first time since injuring his calf in December.
January signing Kieran Trippier could also return after a three-month absence with Newcastle set to make a late call on whether he’s fit enough following a long stint out with a foot injury.
Fabian Schar is a doubt due to a foot issue sustained in the loss to Liverpool.
The stats
City hold the edge when it comes to the recent head-to-head record against Newcastle, winning each of the last five games across all competitions and avoiding defeat in the last six.
Newcastle have won just one of their last 28 league games against City — a 2-1 win at St James’ Park in January 2019 — while they’ve never won a league match at the Etihad Stadium, drawing two and losing 14.
Despite failing to win four of their opening 10 league matches in 2021-22, drawing two and losing two, City have dropped points in just four of their subsequent 24 top-flight outings.
Eddie Howe won’t be relishing Sunday’s encounter with the former Bournemouth boss having lost all 11 of his Premier League meetings with City.
Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez could be the key figures for City as they look to continue their charge towards the title.
De Bruyne has been involved in 15 goals in his last 16 Premier League appearances, scoring nine and assisting six, while Mahrez has netted in each of his last five league starts at home.
Predictions
Newcastle are clearly in a much stronger position since their takeover was completed in October but defeating City on their own patch might be too big an ask at this point.
The Citizens are the second-highest scorers in the division, netting 84 times this term, although they boast the best goal-scoring record on home soil — finding the back of the net on 50 occasions.
Pep Guardiola’s men have bagged at least two goals in each of their last six league fixtures at the Etihad but they have only kept two clean sheets during that run.
The Magpies, meanwhile, have scored in their last two away outings and backing a City win and both teams to score could be the way to go.
