Man City (A) – Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible XI and prediction

After Wednesday night's 6-1 win at Qarabag was a night of firsts and broken records, we'll need more of the same at Man City tonight if we're to end our miserable run of results at the Etihad.

The past 10 days have been superb, seeing us bounce back from that 3-2 defeat at home to Brentford with huge away wins at Spurs, Aston Villa and Qarabag in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

Eddie Howe has got it spot on, the players have rallied around him and the travelling Toon Army have finally had something to shout about on the road.

However, with us needing to apply that level of consistency and renewed belief to the Premier League, where we currently sit 10th and four points behind Brentford in 7th, it's vital that we build on this recent upturn in form.

After the squad only arrived back from Baku at near 5am on Thursday morning, it's out of the frying pan and into the fire as we head to a Man City side who are unbeaten in seven and gunning for the title after Arsenal's midweek slip at Wolves. Mix that with the fact we've not won a the Etihad since 2014 and you see what a tough ask Saturday night could be - but we have one thing on our side that didn't exit just two weeks ago. Belief, form and a new sense of unity.

Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday night's trip to the Etihad, Howe said:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QF531oGGqE

Team news

Sven Botman (back) should return to the squad and Joelinton is available again, but the game will come too soon for Yoane Wissa ('nasty knock' in training) and Lewis Miley (dead leg), who may still be out another week or two.

Bruno Guimaraes (hamstring) remains out, along with Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth.

OUT: Barnes, Woltemade

IN: Joelinton, Ramsey

Willock on the left is a slightly rogue selection, but he and Joelinton have linked up well in the past down our left and Barnes looks like a player in need of a rest to me.

I'm not sure this is the game for Woltemade in midfield, so I think a rested Ramsey returns and Elanga continues down the right, looking to build on his brilliant solo goal scored in our last trip to the Etihad just a few weeks ago.

Match prediction

I think his may be a game too far for Newcastle, with Man City the nightmare opponents given our travel time, their motivation to capitalise on Arsenal's slip up and the rest they've had in midweek while we were playing 2,500 miles away.

We created chances in both legs of our Carabao Cup semi-final against Man City, but we'll have to take them this time, tighten up defensively and plug more gaps in midfield, with the hosts finding space on the break far too easily in our last meeting.

Hoping for another big away result, but fearing City will be too strong for us, if I'm being totally honest.

Prediction: Man City 3-1 Newcastle

Howay the lads!