Man City (H): Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
Last weekend’s FA Cup victory gave Newcastle our first win against bitter rivals Sunderland since 2011.
Now, attentions turn back to the Premier League as we welcome treble-winning Man City to St James’ Park. While the derby displayed the gulf between where the club were and where we are now, on paper the match against City highlights the gulf between where we are now and where the ownership would ultimately like to be.
Talk about Financial Fair Play has dominated the pre-match build up with CEO Darren Eales issuing a sobering reminder of how much the regulations are restricting the club’s buying power.
Injury has also once again struck the first team squad with Eddie Howe confirming midfield enforcer Joelinton would be out for a “minimum of six weeks” after being withdrawn from the derby early in the second half.
“He has a problem with his tendon in his quad,” Howe said. “He is very disappointed, he wants to play and do well; we have had to try and pick him up. He is our midfield driving force, it is a big blow".
We controlled the game against Sunderland and established a proper foothold on the game after around 15 minutes. Bruno’s ability to get on the ball, registering 106 touches, helped unlock Sunderland’s shaky defence. However, it is a completely different proposition against a City side looking to achieve a fourth straight Premier League title.
Howe understands that we face “a lot of different challenges” against City but is confident his side can compete. “We have prepared well, so hopefully that reflects in what we do”.
“The two games against them this season have been really interesting. Tactically, I think you learn a lot from every game you play against teams like Manchester City and Liverpool. It was a tight game at the Etihad, I thought we were in the game. The Carabao Cup game I think was a very different game, still we delivered what we wanted to do at a very high level”.
We beat City 1-0 in the Carabao Cup fixture with standout defensive performances from Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummett. Following our recent struggle in the league, Howe has promised a “much more Newcastle like performance” from his Mags after enjoying more time between matches and a return to a normal training schedule at the start of 2024.
Team news
Joelinton is out for at least six weeks and joins an injury list featuring Callum Wilson, Elliot Anderson, Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Nick Pope, Matt Targett, and Javier Manquillo. Sandro Tonali is still suspended.
Kevin De Bruyne is back for City, but Erling Haaland has been ruled out by Pep Guardiola. Jack Grealish has had sickness this week but could feature.
Predicted XI: Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Miley – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
The main debate will be whether Howe will stick with Dan Burn in left back or bring in Tino Livramento who has really impressed and made his mark when filling in on the left. While social media will cry out for Tino, I think Howe will stick with his preferred back four and start Burn. Elsewhere, it seems pretty certain Lewis Miley will replaced the injured Joelinton.
Prediction: Newcastle 1 – 1 Man City
City have stuttered in the league this season and hopefully we will have caught them before they go on their annual monster unbeaten run to their inevitable title.
We have always seemed to find a result when the squad gets questioned and what better advertisement to players looking to join the club than holding the Champions?
Beating Sunderland has given us a lot of confidence and though you can’t win games on confidence alone, it goes a long way.
VAMOS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0eUuZLtIhs&ab_channel=NewcastleUnited
