Manchester City vs Newcastle – News and Probable Lineups

Looking to take advantage of Arsenal’s recent stumble against Wolves, Manchester City, who are vying for the Premier League title, host Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium this Saturday evening.

The Magpies are eager for retribution after a 5-1 aggregate loss to the Citizens in the EFL Cup semi-finals earlier this month.

Match overview

This is the first season since the 2025-26 campaign where two English teams – Arsenal and Manchester City – are still in contention for a historic quadruple in March. While Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola may downplay this narrative, both EFL Cup finalists maintained their aspirations with progress in the FA Cup last weekend.

Manchester City labored for their 2-0 fourth-round victory at home against League Two side Salford City, which has set up a fifth-round clash with Newcastle at St James’ Park next month. This means the sides will meet five times across all competitions this season.

The Citizens have achieved a four-game winning streak across three different tournaments, starting with a 3-1 second-leg win against Newcastle in the EFL Cup semi-finals, followed by two crucial Premier League victories over Liverpool (3-1) and Fulham (3-0). They overcame the latter just three days prior to their success over Salford.

As of now, Guardiola’s team holds second place in the Premier League standings, trailing Arsenal by five points after the Gunners managed a 2-2 draw with Wolves midweek. Nonetheless, the Citizens possess a game in hand and can narrow the deficit at the top to just two points with a win over Newcastle, before Arteta’s squad takes on Tottenham in the North London derby on Sunday.

Recently, Manchester City has displayed improvements in their defense, having conceded only eight goals in their last 12 Premier League fixtures (including six clean sheets), following a match where they conceded four goals in a 5-4 win at Fulham on December 2 – the least any team has conceded in the league during this period.

The Citizens are anticipating a return to the Etihad on Saturday, where they have recorded six consecutive Premier League home victories against Newcastle without allowing any goals, and remain unbeaten in their last 21 top-flight home encounters with the Magpies, winning the last 16. In the history of the English top-flight, only Everton has had a longer winning streak at home against an opponent (22 against Fulham between 1961 and 2018).

Following a frustrating 3-2 loss at home to Brentford in the Premier League two weeks ago, Newcastle has bounced back with three successive away wins in various competitions – matching their away victories from the previous 14 matches (D6 L8) – while scoring 11 goals in the process.

They secured a 2-1 Premier League win over Tottenham, followed by a 3-1 comeback victory against 10-man Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round last weekend, and then Eddie Howe’s squad trounced Qarabag FK 6-1 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout playoff, featuring four first-half goals from Anthony Gordon.

Before turning their focus to next week’s second leg at St James’ Park, Newcastle must first face Manchester City and aim to achieve their first league double over the Citizens since 1983-84 in the second tier, following their 2-1 home win back in November – the Magpies have not completed a league double over City in the top flight since 1955-56.

However, all of Newcastle’s last nine Premier League away victories have come against teams currently in the bottom half of the table. They remain winless in 10 matches away from home against top-half clubs (D3 L7) since their 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in November 2024, and they haven’t won in 37 away matches against the top two (D5 L32) since a 3-1 victory at Arsenal in December 2001.

Newcastle’s performance at the Etihad has not been encouraging, as they have not won any of their last 20 league visits to Manchester City’s home ground (D2 L18), which is the most a team has played at a venue without attaining three points in Premier League history.

Team News

Manchester City will still be without Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture) and Mateo Kovacic (ankle/heel) due to injuries, while the availability of Jeremy Doku (calf) and Savinho (thigh) remains uncertain after prolonged absences.

Erling Haaland was absent from the FA Cup victory against Salford due to minor “niggles”; however, he is expected to be fit for the match, while center-back Max Alleyne (knock) will be evaluated after having to leave the pitch in the first half of the previous game.

Omar Marmoush has netted five goals in his two home fixtures against Newcastle, including a hat-trick in the same match (4-0 win for City) last season and a brace during this month’s EFL Cup semi-final second leg. The Egyptian may partner Haaland in attack, but Antoine Semenyo is also a strong candidate for a starting role.

Phil Foden, who has contributed to 99 Premier League goals (68 goals, 31 assists), is in the running to become the sixth Manchester City player to reach 100 goal involvements and will vie for a starting position in an advanced central role against Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, and Tijjani Reijnders.

As for Newcastle, they will miss Bruno Guimaraes (hamstring), Tino Livramento (thigh), Fabian Schar (ankle), and Emil Krafth (knee) due to injuries, while Lewis Miley (thigh), Sven Botman (back), and Yoane Wissa (knock) will be assessed before kickoff after their absence during the Qarabag game.

Joelinton made a welcome return from a groin issue as a substitute in midweek after missing six games, and he could replace Joe Willock in the starting XI to partner Sandro Tonali in midfield.

Anthony Gordon excelled as a central striker in the match against Qarabag and may retain that role this weekend, with Nick Woltemade taking on a deeper central position, while Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, and Anthony Elanga are set to contend for starting spots on the wings.

Barnes was responsible for both goals in Newcastle’s earlier 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the reverse fixture and will aim to be the first Magpies player since Alan Shearer in 2004-05 to score in both fixtures against the Citizens within the same Premier League season.

Manchester City probable starting XI:

Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, O’Reilly; Bernardo, Cherki; Semenyo, Haaland

Newcastle United probable starting XI:

Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Joelinton, Tonali; Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes; Gordon

Newcastle has given up the opening goal within the first 20 minutes in eight of their last nine encounters at Manchester City, ultimately losing each match, so they cannot afford another sluggish start if they hope to end their lengthy winless streak at the Etihad.

The recent surge in form for the Magpies will provide them confidence; however, Manchester City has also received a boost from Arsenal’s midweek setback and understands that the title race now rests in their hands. Consequently, we anticipate a focused Citizens side to outscore their rivals and secure three crucial points.