Preview
Can City continue their good run at St. James Park?
With their fourth game in just twelve days, one might say that a Manchester City player needs a very good condition to survive the busy schedule. Tired legs and long days can affect the game right now in what is one of the most important periods in the competition.
With last Thursday's great 6-0 win against West Ham United in the Capital One Cup still fresh in memory Manchester City will visit St. James Park this Sunday for a clash with Alan Pardew's Newcastle United.
The Blues will visit an opponent out of shape. With three defeats in a row (Arsenal, WBA & Cardiff City) Newcastle has something to rectify. But City, who are in great shape, want to continue their serie of nine unbeaten League games.
The Citizens are in great form with 15 points in the last five League matches. They also haven't lost away from home since their 1-0 defeat against Sunderland in November 2013, while the Magpies lost three of their last five home games.
Sergio Aguero, who's still not able to play, seems fit before next week when City host Cardiff City. Newcastle United will miss Debuchy, who has received a red card in their last League game against West Bromwich Albion.
(Aguero has been out since suffering a calf injury in the 6-3 defeat of Arsenal on December 14.)
Many fans are still hoping that Marcos Lopes, after his Cup-debut last Thursday, will make his first League appearance. The Brazilian midfielder has shown everybody that he's ready for Premier League action.
A win tomorrow would mean: Top of the table until at least Monday, when Arsenal will visit Aston Villa.
Prediction: 1-3
Line ups:
Mathieu Debuchy remains suspended for the hosts, while Yohan Cabaye and Tim Krul face late fitness tests.
Possible line-ups
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasić, Kolarov, Silva, Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, Nasri, Džeko, Negredo.Newcastle United: Krul, Santon, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Haidara, Tiote, Anita, Sissoko, Ben Arfa, Gouffran, Remy.
Key Players:
Alvaro Negredo:
The beast is in top condition! With his hattrick against West Ham United he has shown once again that he's a super striker. Barely no one expected such a good first half of the season from this player. He has a eye for the goal, he knows exactly where he should stand, and he's a great finisher. In short: Top striker.
Cheick Tiote:
The Ivorian midfielder is in good shape in recent months. He has shown some good performances so far. He also has a great partnership with Yohan Cabaye and he's a rock in midfield. It will be a tough job for the City mid-fielders to play against him.
Head to Head stats:
- Newcastle United have lost their last eight games against Manchester City.
- Manchester City are unbeaten against the Magpies in their last 14 Premier League meetings.
- The last meeting between the teams was in October 2013, when Negredo and Dzeko led City to a 0-2 win after extra time in the Capital One Cup.
Premier league stats
- Manchester City (57) have scored 28 more goals than Newcastle United (29) this season
- Newcastle United (25) conceded 2 more goals than Manchester City (23)
- Manchester City have scored at least twice in each of their last 11 league meetings with Newcastle United (30 in total, 2.7 per game)
- Manchester City managed 11 shots on target in the reverse meeting with Newcastle United this season, still the most they have mustered in a Premier League game this term
