Verdict: Sergio Aguero to score 2+ goals
Best Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
Looking to make a statement after only managing to pick up at point at Molineux last weekend, Pep Guardiola’s side will welcome Newcastle to Manchester on Saturday.
Manchester City
Well, after the defending Premier League champions were only able to salvage a point at newly promoted Wolves last weekend, Pep Guardiola will certainly be demanding a statement be made on Saturday. While Wolves almost made them look human, City are a force when playing in Manchester, in their last appearance at the Etihad they put six past Huddersfield. One man Guardiola will be looking to lead from the front is Argentina international Sergio Aguero. While City’s leading goalscorer came close to grabbing the winner last time out, he already has three for the season and all of those have come at the Etihad. Aguero will also be boosted by his stellar record against Newcastle, he has also recorded eight in the last two meetings between the two side.
Team News
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has no new injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s visit of Newcastle.
City remain without injured quartet Kevin de Bruyne, Danilo, Claudio Bravo and Equalim Mangala.
Newcastle
A week that has seen Newcastle crash at of the League Cup at the hands of Championship outfit Nottingham Forest in a 3-1 defeat and a bust-up between Rafa Benitez and captain Jamaal Lascelles, all is not well at St. James’ Park. Carrying on from a poor pre-season that saw them pick up just one win, The Magpies are still looking for their first three points of the new season. Managing just a draw out of their opening three games, the visitors have also shipped five in their last two. Along with their recent form, it will also be their performances away from the North East that will be a huge concern for Benitez. Newcastle have now managed to win just two of their last nine matches on the road and haven’t managed to beat a team who finished in the top eight away from home in the past 18 months.
Team News
Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles is available after missing two matches with an ankle problem, although Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie are ruled out.
Isaac Hayden completes a ban but Kenedy is available, having been ineligible to face parent club Chelsea.
Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester City have gone 21 top-flight games without defeat against Newcastle (W18, D3). It’s their longest unbeaten run against another team, as well as being Newcastle’s longest such winless streak.
- Newcastle have lost their last nine away league matches in this fixture, conceding 32 goals.
- The reigning champions have won all seven of their Premier League matches in September under Pep Guardiola, scoring 26 goals and conceding just twice.
- Newcastle have only accrued six points from their past nine away games, with their solitary victory coming at Leicester in April.
- Sergio Aguero has scored 12 goals in seven home league appearances in 2018. He has 14 goals in 11 Premier League appearances against Newcastle, including eight in the two most recent meetings at the Etihad: five goals in October 2015 and a hat-trick in January 2018.
Conclusion
If Rafa Benitez is planning on taking a similar ultra-defensive stance as he did against Chelsea last weekend, it could be a very, very long afternoon for Newcastle. With the Toons woeful record away from St. James’, coupled with City’s ruthlessness in the final third, we’re expecting the Sky Blues to create plenty of opportunities. Given Sergio Aguero’s stellar record against the Magpies, we’re backing him to add to his goalscoring tally.
Verdict: Sergio Aguero to score 2+ goals
Best Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
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