Newcastle United vs Manchester City – Premier League – Preview, Team News and Updates

Following the midweek excitement of Carabao Cup and the Europa League, fans will swiftly turn their focus back to the Premier League again this weekend. And oh boy, do we have some exciting games lined up.

On Saturday, Newcastle United and Manchester City begin Gameweek 6 with an early kick-off. This will be the first meeting between the two clubs since March when the Cityzens secured a comfortable 2-0 win in FA Cup quarterfinals thanks to a brace by Bernardo Silva. Although that loss is a long way away now, it would still hurt Newcastle fans. The Magpies will be keen to avenge that loss and return to winning way after succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at Craven Cottage last weekend.  

Meanwhile, Manchester City have looked at the fluid best so far this season. They have won every game except one in the Premier League. Last weekend, their perfect start was disrupted by Arsenal, who managed to leave the Etihad with a point, despite being down to 10 men for the entire second half. City needed some late-game heroics, as John Stones netted a crucial last-minute goal to salvage a 2-2 draw and keep their unbeaten streak alive. With both clubs looking to get back to winning ways, Saturday’s clash has all the makings of a Premier League classic. 

Newcastle United vs Manchester City – Match Preview 

The Magpies have started the 2024/25 in promising fashion, accumulating 10 points after five games. It’s a solid start after a summer of upheaval and uncertainty at Tyneside. However, the results have somewhat masked some glaring problems that Eddie Howe’s side is currently dealing with. They started their Premier League campaign with a shaky 1-0 win over a newly promoted Southampton side. Their second match saw them narrowly escape embarrassment, as a late Bournemouth winner was overturned, sparing the Magpies their blushes. A smash-and-grab win against Spurs and a comeback win over 19th-placed Wolves followed soon after, keeping the Magpies unbeaten, even if they were far from their best.  

However, their luck eventually ran out when Fulham handed them their first defeat of the season. Goals from Emile Smith Rowe, Raul Jimenez, and Reiss Nelson saw the Cottagers take a 3-1 win. If the Magpies want a positive result against Manchester City, then they will have to play much better than they have in recent weeks. However, the Geordie have been handed a lucky break, as their midweek Carabao Cup tie vs AFC Wimbledon was postponed due to poor ground conditions caused by excessive rain. This gave Newcastle players a full week’s rest, which would make them much sharper for the weekend’s clash against City in theory. 

Having said that, Manchester City have one of the deepest talent pools in world football. They can easily compete on multiple fronts. Therefore, Pep Guardiola will without a shadow of a doubt field his strongest lineup on Saturday. The Cityzens have been the best team in English football for the past couple of seasons, and the 2024/25 season is no different. They have started the season in blistering form, winning four games and drawing just once in Premier League. On the European stage, they were held to a goalless draw by Inter Milan in their Champions League opener. 

The Cityzens come into this game on the back of a 2-1 win over Watford in their midweek Carabao Cup tie. Pep Guardiola’s men will be looking to maintain their unbeaten streak. And with Erling Haaland in the form of his life, few would bet against them. The 24-year-old Norwegian has already scored 10 goals in the Prem this season and is on track to break his own record for most goals in a single campaign. Moreover, Newcastle United have managed to clinch just one win in their last 33 top-flight meetings with City – a 2-1 home win in January 2019 under Rafa Benitez. 

Newcastle United vs Manchester City – Team News and Updates 

Manchester City are set to face Newcastle without their key midfield enforcer Rodri, who has been sidelined with a knee ligament injury and could miss the rest of the season. They will also be without Oscar Bobb (leg fracture) and Nathan Ake (muscle injury). To add to the uncertainty, Kevin De Bruyne, who has been out of action for the last two games due to a groin issue, remains a doubt and will be assessed before kickoff. 

Pep Guardiola, who made nine changes for the midweek EFL Cup win over Watford, is expected to bring back several first-team regulars for the Newcastle clash. This includes Ederson, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, and of course, Erling Haaland, who has already netted 10 goals in just five Premier League appearances this season. 

On the other hand, Newcastle are dealing with their own injury woes. Callum Wilson (back), Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles (both knee), and Lewis Miley (ankle) are all unavailable, with Wilson not expected to return until after the next international break. 

Eddie Howe may shake things up at full-back, with Valentino Livramento and Lewis Hall both pushing for starts, possibly replacing Kieran Trippier and Lloyd Kelly. Sandro Tonali is also vying for a spot in midfield, potentially in place of Joe Willock. On the left wing, the in-form Harvey Barnes is likely to retain his place, forming a front three alongside Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, both of whom have just one goal each in Newcastle's opening five league matches. 

Newcastle United vs Manchester City – Kick-Off Time and Date 

The game is scheduled to take place on 28th September 2024 (Saturday) at St James Park in Newcastle. The match will kick off at 5:00 PM (Indian Standard Time).   

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