Man City (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & score prediction
Just a few days on from a tough night at Anfield, it doesn't get any easier for Eddie Howe as Manchester City arrive at St James' Park; which is now free from Sports Direct signs splattered all over the stadium!
Guardiola's men arrive top of the table and fresh from a 7-0 win over Leeds on Tuesday night; meaning they've had 48 hours more rest than our lot.
On the plus side, we put in an improved display at Liverpool, albeit in defeat. We didn't fold like we did at Leicester, we worked our socks off and had our moments on the counter the odd time we managed to break their press.
We'll also be playing 11 vs 11 on Sunday, which will be nice after Mike Dean's embarrassing display on Thursday gave Liverpool a 12th man from start to finish.
Seriously though, we'll have to be at it in all areas to cope with Man City; who put in their most devastating display of the season in midweek and arrive with a fully fit squad.
Elsewhere this weekend, we'll also have to hope Aston Villa and Arsenal help us out, with them playing Burnley (1 point above us) and Leeds (6 points above us), respectively.
Team news
Both Jamal Lewis (hamstring) and Federico Fernandez (thigh) will be missing. Sadly, it seems neither will play again this year.
Callum Wilson could return after a rest, but he, along with Javier Manquillo and Isaac Hayden, is just one booking away from a suspension.
As for the visitors, Joao Cancelo is back from a one-match ban (sigh) and, Feran Torres aside, Pep Guardiola says he has a fully fit squad to pick from ahead of City's trip to Tyneside.
Predicted line ups
(4-5-1): Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Lascelles, Ritchie – Joelinton, Shelvey, S Longstaff, Willock, Almiron – Wilson.
(4-1-2-3): Ederson - Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko - Rodri - Gundogan, De Bruyne - Foden, Jesus, Sterling.
Howe admitted that he'd need to rotate his team for this one, feeling three games in seven days is a tough task when we've been chasing the ball for large periods.
There'll be a temptation to go with five at the back given City come in fresh from a 7-0 win over Leeds, but it's not Howe's style to park the bus. He didn't do it at Anfield, so I can't see him doing that at St James' Park.
With that in mind, I can see Krafth coming in for Manquillo, who may need a rest after a few tough games against Barnes and Mane.
Ritchie will come in at left-back in Lewis' absence, while rotation in midfield could also hand a rare opportunity to Sean Longstaff; whose fresh legs and pressing could come in handy against City.
Willock may also return to give us an option to support our attack on the counter. With Shelvey so key in helping us keep the ball and release forwards on the break, that could mean Hayden misses out?
Out wide, Joelinton and Almiron could be key in protecting both our full-backs (Almiron's energy could be key in tracking the elusive Cancelo), while Wilson may return up top after being rested in midweek.
This would mean Saint-Maximin misses out. He may be unable to play after picking up a knock on Thursday night, but even if he's fit, this may be a good time to keep him fresh for upcoming games against Man Utd and Everton.
Fraser had one of his best games in a black and white shirt at Liverpool, but he's another we may want to save for upcoming games; especially when his recent injury record may not agree with him playing two tough games in the space of a few days.
Match prediction
I'm intrigued to see how we approach this one after seeing us park the bus every time we've faced City in recent years.
Saying that, I fear it could get ugly if we try and go toe-to-toe with a fresh and fully-fit Guardiola side who arrive on the back of a 7-0 win!
We'll need to be everything we were at Liverpool and much better again if we're to get anything here. Individual errors must be cut out and our decision making at the other end also must be spot on.
Hoping for a performance full of positives, even if we come away with no points.
Prediction: Newcastle 0-3 Man City
HOWAY THE LADS!
