Prediction: Manchester City vs Newcastle

Verdict: Manchester City to Win and Over 2.5 Goals

Best Odds: 2/7

Bookmakers: William Hill

Champions to be Manchester City welcome struggling Newcastle to the Etihad for a clash that looks set to go only one way. The Cityzens, despite losing their unbeaten streak, remain the best team in the league, and will want to bounce back quickly from their defeat to Liverpool. The Magpies meanwhile are dangerously close to the relegation zone, and thus need a positive result to give them some breathing room.

Manchester City

A few people have been discussing the possibility that this Manchester City side is the best team in Premier League history, and there are certainly a lot of arguments in favour of that notion. Pep Guardiola’s side have amassed an impressive 62 points from 23 games, scoring 67 goals and conceding just 17 in the process.

The numbers are mind-blowing, and some of the on-pitch performances have been simply mesmerising. While the defeat to Liverpool last weekend ended their hopes of replicating the feat of the Arsenal Invincibles, it may well have taken some of the pressure off the players.

In the past it has often fallen to Sergio Aguero to score the goals that have brought City their success, but in this campaign he has actually been outscored by Raheem Sterling. Guardiola’s ability to get the best out of every player has been key to the success of this season, and the fact that Fabian Delph has been hugely impressive at left back is testament to that philosophy.

Team News

Pep Guardiola is having torrid time with his defensive injuries, especially now that makeshift left back Fabian Delph has joined Benjamin Mendy on the side lines. That could mean that Danilo, who was bought to play as a fullback, could actually feature.

Vincent Kompany is unsurprisingly also injured, though he shouldn’t be out for as long as Gabriel Jesus, who won’t return until February.

Newcastle 

The Magpies, by contrast to Manchester City, are really struggling this season. They have struggled for success at both ends of the pitch, scoring just 21 times in 23 games, while conceded 31 goals. It is little surprise then that they have won just six times all season, and they sit three points above the relegation zone. With this fixture likely to end in defeat for Rafa Benitez’s side, they will be praying for favourable results elsewhere.

Newcastle’s top scorer this season is Joselu with four goals, and neither he nor Dwight Gayle have been particularly convincing up top. A proven goal scorer is needed in the January transfer window, but with a change of ownership in progress there seems to be confusion about whether or not the club can purchase players, and, if so, how many.

It is a turbulent time for the Magpies, and it is difficult to see how they will be able to turn their form around without some big purchases, especially as they have been so poor at St. James’ Park. For all the excitement around the club at the beginning of the season, they have little to show at this stage of the season.

Team News

Florian Lejeune could be in contention after recovering from a foot injury, while Dwight Gayle should return after picking up a knock in the last game.

Aleksandar Mitrovic meanwhile likely won’t recover from a back injury in time for this clash, while Jesus Gamez remains side-lined.

Key Factors to Consider

• Manchester City are unbeaten in their 11 home games this season, scoring 39 times.
• The Cityzens have scored a remarkable 67 times in 23 games.
• Newcastle have won just six times this season, and only three times away from home.
• The Magpies are scoring less than a goal per game on average, with 21 in 23 matches.
• Newcastle have also conceded 31 times in those 23 games.

Conclusion

Manchester City aren’t likely to slip up in two consecutive matches, and the defeat to Liverpool last time out should take a lot of the pressure off them as the possibility of an invincible season is now gone. Newcastle have been struggling all season, and it is difficult to see them putting up a good enough barrier against this high powered Cityzen offence.

Verdict: Manchester City to Win and Over 2.5 Goals

Best Odds: 2/7

Bookmakers: William Hill