Newcastle United vs Manchester City – English Premier League – Preview

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Sreya

Newcastle United hosts Manchester City at St. James Park on 19th April, Tuesday as the visitors push for a second-place finish in the English Premier League. Newcastle United are firmly entrenched in the relegation zone with twenty eight points from their thirty three games.

With Sunderland in eighteenth position and Norwich on seventeenth position, two and three points ahead of Newcastle respectively, Rafael Benitez’s side need all but a miracle to stay up in the top flight.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are on the third position with sixty points, five behind Tottenham Hotspur. Although Leicester City are firmly out of reach, Manchester City are aiming to usurp Spurs for a top two finish, all the while ensuring Arsenal do not catch up with them.

Manchester City defeated the defending Champions Chelsea on Saturday by a 3-0 scoreline courtesy a hattrick from Sergio Aguero. Newcastle United also returned to winning ways after seven games due to a 3-0 victory over Swansea City.

Team News

Newcastle United have as many as nine players sidelined with injuries, which includes Tim Krul, Ivan Toney, Massadio Haidara, Curtis Good, Robert Elliot, Kevin Mbabu, Fabricio Coloccini, Daryl Janmaat and Steven Taylor.

Samir Nasri picked up a knock against Chelsea and is likely to miss out. Raheem Sterling, Vincent Kompany, Gael Clichy and David Silva are all doubts for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

Newcastle United Possible Starting Lineup: Karl Darlow, Vurnon Anita, Jamaal Lascelles, Chancel Mbemba, Paul Dummett, Cheick Tiote, Jack Colback, Andros Townsend, Moussa Sissoko, Georginio Wijnadum, Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Manchester City Possible Starting Lineup: Joe Hart, Bacary Sagna, Elaquim Mangala, Nicolas Otamendi, Aleksandar Kolarov, Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva, Sergio Aguero.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, Manchester City have won five and lost only one of their previous six encounters between the two clubs. In fact, Manchester City have won twelve of their last fourteen matches against Newcastle United in all competitions.

Manchester City have scored at least two goals in fifteen of their last seventeen matches against Newcastle in all competitions and a minimum of two goals in their last three Premier League matches, so it is likely to be a high scoring affair.

Manchester City have kept a clean sheet in their last three away matches in the Premier League as well as in their last three games against Newcastle United at St. James Park in all competitions.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are the favorites to win this fixture with a 3-0 scoreline in favor of the visitors being the most likely result.