Premier League
Newcastle United vs Manchester City Preview
- Date: Jan. 29, 2019
- Time: 3:00 p.m. (est)
- Network: NBC Sports Gold
- Location: Newcastle, England
- Venue: St James’ Park
- Seating Capacity: 52,354
On paper this seasons to be an easy win for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.
However, Newcastle can be stubborn at home, specially in-front of their passionate fans.
The Citizens are four points away from league-leaders Liverpool and their defensive woes have gotten much better of recently.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are coming off a huge win over Cardiff City that escalated them above the Bluebirds who currently are on relegation slots.
Views From Both Camps
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez:
“Each manager is managing the team he has, depending on the characteristics of his players.”
“If you have top players you attack. But we need balance. One point could make all the difference, and goal difference is important for us as you have seen.”
Additionally, Benetiz will be without Midfielders Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame. Ki Sung-Yueng picked up an injury while on duty with South Korea at the Asian Cup and will not be available.
City manager Guardiola on whether playing it is advantageous to play before or after :
“When we play later, when we play early, the only chance we have is to win the games. If we don’t it’s almost over.”
“We have the pressure and feel the pressure but we have to handle it.”
“There are many points left to win. We can’t think too much about that and think what we have to do.”
City will not have Vincent Kompany who is injured. Doubts around Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Sinchenko remain. Benjamin Mendy is available but will likely not start.
Possible Lineup
Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Yedlin, Schar, Lascelles, Lejeune, Ritchie; Perez, Hayden, S. Longstaff, Atsu; Rondon.
Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Danilo; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, D. Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Sane.
Prediction
Benitez continues to work on a shoestring budget, and needs more players in January with several absences. A positive result at home may push Mike Ashley to invest on his side.
Meanwhile, City reached League Cup final and are pushing hard in four competitions. Guardiola has done a tremendous job at rotating all his players and also juggling those who have been out due to injury.
Though Newcastle could present an obstacle, City’s squad has far more ambitions at this time for a win.
Newcastle United 0 – 4 Manchester City
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