Game Week 27 Predictions: Manchester City to beat Newcastle

Premier League preview: Man City vs Newcastle at Etihad – City must win to close Arsenal gap, Haaland back firing. Verdict; Man city to win.

Newcastle beat Manchester City at the St. James's Park earlier in the season, can the Magpies do it again at the Etihard? (Photo credit: Opta)

Manchester City vs Newcastle

Etihad Stadium

9:00pm

This is a game Manchester City must win. Pep Guardiola believes his side will win the league this season despite the strong squad Arsenal has; the serial winner must win this one to keep things exciting.

Arsenal failed to beat Wolves in midweek; it was the most shocking result of the year so far, and it has opened the door for Manchester City to go just within two points of Mikel Arteta and the Gunners. Pep Guardiola doesn’t typically miss this sort of opportunity.

Newcastle was a different animal in Europe on Wednesday night. They dismembered Qarabag in Azerbaijan; however, you might consider the quality of the home side before you rate Newcastle so highly. They still got the job done anyway.

Looking at this Newcastle side, they have been incredibly inconsistent this season. They’re currently mopping the top ten table; however, this season has shown us the power of just one win and the danger of just one loss. They need a result here to keep hopes alive.

For the first time in their rich history, Newcastle will be playing in the second round of the Champions League. Their 6-1 win away at Qarabag is as good as insurmountable. The Azerbaijan club won’t beat Newcastle 6-0 at St. James’s Park; the Magpies can as well haul all their focus on Manchester City.

The history books can’t help the visitors. They have lost way too much to the Citizens in recent seasons, and not a lot of people expect anything to be different in this game. Quite frankly, it’s a game Manchester City are expected to win. What will Newcastle do about it?

Bruno Guimaraes was absent in the emphatic win in Europe in midweek, and Eddie Howe couldn’t confirm or deny his potential participation this weekend. Joelinton is back and was active in midweek; however, will he and Sandro Tonali be enough against a Rodri-led Manchester City midfield?

Erling Haaland has been carrying a knock, but he will definitely lead the line on Saturday. The big Norwegian went on a drought that ended at Liverpool, where he scored and assisted. Expect him to have a big say this weekend in this exciting title race.

Manchester City has a plethora of options up front. From Antoine Semenyo to Omar Marmoush, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki, Newcastle has too much to deal with. Defensively, Marc Guehi and the returning duo of John Stones and Ruben Diaz have offered them options; Newcastle must be afraid.

Verdict: Straight win for City.