Prediction: Manchester City vs Newcastle

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

Desperate to bounce back for their shock South Coast defeat over the weekend, Manchester City will welcome Newcastle to an empty Etihad on Wednesday evening.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, hit with what was a stunning 1-0 defeat away at St. Mary’s on Sunday night, despite having 26 strikes on Southampton’s goal, Manchester City will undoubtedly be glad to make a return to the Etihad in midweek. Losing three consecutive domestic away contests for the first time in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career, the now-former Premier League champions have lost nine top-flight games this season, last losing more in a single campaign in 2015-16 under Manuel Pellegrini. Simply with their sights set on both the FA Cup and the Champions League for the remainder of the year, the Sky Blues have continued to shine on home soil. Including what turned out to be a 4-0 romp against newly-crowned champions Liverpool last week, the former Bayern Munich boss has seen his side win each of their previous four Premier League fixtures at the Etihad, winning those quarter of appearances by an aggregate scoreline of 14-0. With starlet Phil Foden also bagging four goals in just his last three top-flight matchups on home soil, Wednesday’s hosts have collected 34 points over their past 12 contests in the blue half of Manchester.

Team News

Manchester City have no new injury or suspensions to worry about ahead of Wednesday’s contest.

Newcastle

As for the visitors, battling from behind twice to snatch a 2-2 draw off of relegation scrappers West Ham over the weekend, Newcastle are enjoying what has been an eye-catching end to the campaign. Likely to still be boosted by what was a rampant display in a 4-1 romp away at another bottom-three outfit in Bournemouth seven days ago, Steve Bruce’s side have lost just one of their last eight appearances across all competitions. While that sole defeat may have come thanks to a 2-0 loss against Manchester City on FA Cup duties last month, the Magpies now find a top-half finish at the top of their agenda. With Miguel Almirón once again finding the net against the Hammers on Sunday afternoon and now landing back-to-back Premier League strikes, the one-time Sunderland boss will be most impressed by his side’s new-found spark in the final third. Including what was a stunning 3-0 romp against Sheffield United when returning from the break, Wednesday’s guests have scored 10 goals in four games since the Premier League season restarted, as many as they netted in their previous 14 league games before the interruption.

Team News

Newcastle have a number of new injury issues with Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin both doubts.

Andy Carroll and Jamaal Lascelles are also potential absentees with respective groin and ankle problems.

Key Factors to Consider

• While Manchester City may have picked up a 2-0 win against Newcastle on FA Cup duties last month, the Magpies are unbeaten in back-to-back Premier League meetings against the Sky Blues, collecting four points.
• Each of the last four Premier League meetings between the two sides have seen both teams find the net by the final whistle.
• Manchester City have won their last four matchups at the Etihad, winning those four appearances by an aggregate scoreline of 14-0.
• The Magpies have scored 10 goals in four games since the Premier League season restarted, as many as they netted in their previous 14 league games before the interruption.
• Phil Foden has scored four goals in his last three matchups at the Etihad.

Conclusion

Although Manchester City might be glad to make a return to the Etihad in midweek, the Sky Blues have continued to show their inconsistencies throughout the campaign. Losing nine Premier League matchups this season, their worst run since 2016, Wednesday could be a lively encounter at the Etihad. With Newcastle really laying down an attacking marker since returning from the enforced break and now bagging 10 goals since football’s return to action, they will be looking to ask questions of a City team stuck in limbo. With each of the last four top-flight meetings between the two sides ending with both teams finding the net, we’re backing a similar outcome on Wednesday evening.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Bet365