Manchester City vs Newcastle United, Premier League Matchday 4: Team News, Preview and Prediction

Competition/Round: 2018/19 English Premier League Season – Matchday 4

Date/Time: Manchester City vs Newcastle United – Saturday, 1 September 2018, 17:30 (UK & Nigeria); 12:30 EST, 09:30 PST (USA); 21:30 IST (India)

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Match Officials:

Referee: Kevin Friend

Assistants: Simon Bennett, Derek Eaton

Fourth Official: Craig Pawson

TV Info: Sky Sports Premier League (UK), NBCSN (USA)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK); NBC Sports Live (USA)

Preview:

Manchester City started their season with a bang as they scored eight goals in two matches. The magic was short lived, however. Much to their surprise, the Blues were humbled last weekend by drawing 1-1 with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Now, after this lack luster performance, the Mancunian club will look to return to their winning ways as they host the Magpies on Saturday.

Newcastle United have had their own issues. On Wednesday the top-fight side traveled to Nottingham Forest midweek for the Carabao Cup’s second round. In a shocking and dramatic state of affairs, the Magpies were defeated 3-1 and were eliminated from the tournament. After this embarrassing defeat, the Magpies will seek to make amends by trying to earn a result against the current Champions of England.

Team News:

Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Claudio Bravo remain on the sidelines through injury. The match-fatigued Fernandinho and Vincent Kompany may also join the bench.

As for Newcastle United, Florian Lejeune continues to hold an injury and will not travel on Saturday. Isaac Hayden, who earned a red card against Cardiff City, will serve the final part of his three match suspension.

Possible Lineups:

Manchester City

Formation: 4-3-3

Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy; D. Silva, Gündoğan, B. Silva; Sterling, Agüero, Sané

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Newcastle United

Formation: 5-4-1

Dúbravka; Ydelin, Schär, Fernández, Clark, Dummett; Ritchie, Diamé, Ki, Murphy; Rondón

Manager: Rafa Benítez

Prediction:

After being held to a draw last weekend, Manchester City will look to bounce back on Saturday. With their home crowd and a good atmosphere, this will provide the Blues with a good opportunity to earn another three points as they seek to retain their English Premier League title.

Albeit Newcastle United have frustrated their hosts before, history is not on their side. Over their last 21 meetings in the top-flight, the Magpies have recorded 3 draws and 18 losses. Moreover, they have not earned a single point in their last ten trips to the Etihad Stadium. It seems, then, that the odds are heavily stacked against them.

Whilst stranger things have happened, it believed that the Magpies will not earn a result. Therefore, though it will not be easy, it is expected the Blues will return to their winning ways with a comfortable victory on Saturday by full-time.

Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle United