Manchester City are back in Premier League action this weekend.
After rescuing a point in their previous league game against Arsenal, City beat Watford in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night at the Etihad Stadium.
This weekend sees Pep Guardiola’s side travel to St. James’ Park to take on Newcastle United to see if they can keep their unbeaten run going and take a step closer to potentially winning a fifth consecutive league trophy.
Ahead of this game, one pundit, who knows all about Newcastle, has shared his thoughts on how this game against Eddie Howe’s side could go for the Blues.
Alan Shearer shares early prediction for Man City vs Newcastle United
In a recent column for Metro where he previewed and predicted the results for all of this weekend’s Premier League matches, Alan Shearer had this to say about Saturday’s early-afternoon clash between City and Newcastle.
He said: “Over the years, we’ve seen some blockbuster games between Newcastle and City at St James’ Park, and I’m expecting the same again for a couple of reasons.
“Newcastle’s cup game has been cancelled so they have a free week in terms of no midweek football. Man City on the other hand will go into the game without Rodri.
“Having said that, Man City can still hurt you with the players they have. It’ll be a really tough game.
“City will still be favourites for the title and favourites for this game but it’ll be a really good atmosphere and Newcastle will have to feed off that.
“When you’re as poor as they were against Fulham, you have a right of response and they have to respond in the right way because, prior to last week, without playing well they were getting results, so the match against Fulham was a bit of an eye opener and a reminder to who and what Newcastle are.
“So many games last year and the year before, Newcastle’s identity was about pressing teams, being aggressive, putting teams under huge pressure with energy and determination and we haven’t seen that yet this season so they have to get that back into their game.
“If they can do that on Saturday then it’ll be really tough for Man City. I’m going to go for a draw.”
How have Newcastle fared in the league so far?
In their five league games this season, the Tyneside club have won three, drawn one and lost one, scoring seven goals and conceding six along the way.
As Shearer mentioned, the Toon lost 3-1 away at Fulham last weekend, which is why the former striker has said that he thinks Newcastle could look to respond to that disappointment with a better performance against City this time around.
With the Citizens set to take on their first league game since Rodri picked up a serious knee injury that will reportedly keep him out of action for the remainder of the season, Guardiola will have the chance against Newcastle to see what the best way to set his team up without the Spaniard is.
Despite that, City will still want to make sure they pick up another win so they don’t lose any footing in the title race, even at this fairly early stage of the campaign.
