Preview
Manuel Pellegrini may be 'old', but the man who graced the Premier League with his charming smile and luscious silver locks last season is certainly not a 'c**t'.
Alan Pardew's rather abhorrent words in last term's 2-0 win over Newcastle United drew only a wry grin from his Chilean counterpart; but what Manuel Pellegrini lacks in verbal aggression, he makes up for in on-the-field fury.
Manchester City acquired an extraordinary appetite for goals under the 60-year-old's management last term, scoring 102 of them in their 2013/2014 title winning season. The South American's taste for attacking football ensured Yaya Touré etched his name high on the list of the league's scoring charts, whilst Aleksandar Kolarov and Pablo Zabaleta were given license to parade up the flanks to provide additional width. The expressive approach won the hearts of the Etihad faithful who had been reared on the brilliance of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Shaun Goater - and it also won two domestic trophies.
(Manuel Pellegrini - 'The Charming One')
Defending, rather than attacking, will be the Premier League champions' priority this term as they look to defend their second title in three years. The arrivals of Fernando Reges, Bacary Sagna, Willy Caballero and Eliaquim Mangala mark yet another swift and efficient window conducted by Txiki Begiristain, but whether their contribution to City's strength in depth will aid the club on a lengthy European pursuit remains yet to be seen. The English champions have certainly established themselves as a domestic force, but their conduct in the Champions League must be improved.
Alan Pardew has been known to enjoy a good headbutt in the past, and the controversial silver fox will be hoping his magpies can peck away at a weakened Manchester City side this Sunday. Monsieur Headbutt has maintained his allegiance to Ligue 1 by bringing in Montpellier's Remy Cabella and AS Monaco's Emmanuel Riviere this summer, but the Newcastle United manager has also delved into the Eredivisie for talented Dutch duo Daryl Janmaat and Siem de Jong. The Magpies were flapping around the mid-table places last season, but an injection of both Champions League and World Cup experience could see them soar into the European places in 2015.
(Daryl Janmaat impressed at the World Cup with the Netherlands this summer)
Manuel Pellegrini marked his Premier League inauguration with a 4-0 thrashing over the Toon army last year, but the repercussions of a frantic summer is likely to affect the strength of his starting eleven on Sunday.
Strength in depth has been the Chilean's primary endeavour since joining the club in 2013, and Manchester City's ability to cope with fatigue and injury will be put to the test against a newly invigorated Newcastle side this weekend.
Prediction: 1-2
Line-Ups
Possible Manchester City XI
- Mangala ruled out
- Zabaleta could be given an extended rest, Sagna likely to start
- Caballero's poor performance against Arsenal in the Community Shield could see Hart return to the side
Possible Newcastle United XI
- Cabella, Riviere and Ferreyra could form a ferocious attacking three
- Sissoko and Anita provide solidity and power in the middle
- Janmaat to make his debut
Match Facts
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 16 domestic matches against Newcastle
- Newcastle have failed to score in their opening game in three of their four seasons since returning to the top flight
- The blues haven't lost a Premier League opener since 2008 when Aston Villa ran out 4-2 winners at Villa Park
