Manchester City take on Newcastle United in Saturday's late Premier League kick-off.  Pep Guardiola’s side claimed a 2-0 home win over Newcastle in the sides' most recent meeting in March. However, this happened only a few days following Newcastle's disappointing League Cup final defeat and we expect to see a completely different Magpies this time.  

It is nearly 12 months to the day since Newcastle United and Manchester City played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at St James' Park. All in all, The Magpies have failed to beat City in nine games across all competitions (losing seven) - since Rafael Benitez oversaw a 2-1 comeback win in January 2019.

While Eddie Howe's men held Pep Guardiola’s side to a draw at St James’ Park last year, the North East giants have lost each of their last 14 visits to Manchester City in the Premier League. Their only previous victory at the Etihad Stadium came in the League Cup in October 2014. 

Two months after securing a historic treble, Manchester City claimed their 12^th consecutive win over Burnley in all competitions with a 3-0 victory over Vincent Kompany's side at Turf Moor last Friday followed by a challenging trip to Greece in midweek.

Unlike the FA Community Shield clash with Arsenal, Man City were flawless in the penalty shootout against Europa League champions Sevilla and Pep Guardiola's men return to Manchester on the back of a historic UEFA Super Cup triumph on Wednesday night.

The Sky Blues endured years of European agony before bagging two continental honors in the space of two months, and their Super Cup success is something they want to build on in an eventful August.

Thankfully, City were not dragged into extra-time as the UEFA Super Cup game is decided on penalties (same as the FA Community Shield) if the match ends in a draw.  

Losing proven figures like captain Ilkay Gundogan, who decided to join La Liga giants Barcelona this summer, as well as the likes of Riyad Mahrez, who moved to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, and Kevin De Bruyne (who aggravated his previous hamstring problem) is a huge blow to Pep Guardiola's game plan. Of course, the Spanish tactician won't change his system but some of his most valuable performers are not around anymore, and the injury list is not helping either.

João Cancelo is also looking for a way out of the Etihad, while Pep Guardiola revealed that John Stones and Bernardo Silva, who scored in both matches against Newcastle last term, are set to miss this weekend's game.

Erling Haaland was neutralized by Sevilla throughout the UEFA Super Cup game but the Norwegian forward was on spot during the penalty shootout. Haaland scored twice against Burnley in the season opener and he'll be eager to get back on track this weekend.

Elsewhere, Guardiola must decide whether to make changes for the visit of Newcastle, with Ruben Dias and Julián Álvarez pressing for a start in defense and up front respectively having been substitutes in the UEFA Super Cup clash against Sevilla on Wednesday.

In fact, Alvarez was only introduced in the final minutes of the game, whereas Dias remained an unused substitute, but the Portuguese defender's importance has been quite remarkable and it's safe to assume that he'll start on Saturday night. 

The Magpies mastered a hugely impressive start to the new Premier League season as they dismantled Unai Emery's Aston Villa 5-1 at St James' Park on the opening weekend.

It was a great team effort but it's just the beginning of a long journey and Newcastle must not get complacent if they are to, at least, retain their top-four status.

The long-awaited return of Champions League football to St. James Park brought a great sense of optimism to the Toon Army. However, a participation in Europe's elite competition places additional demands on the squad in terms of highly-competitive matches and Eddie Howe bolstered his lines.

All key players were involved in Newcastle's preparations at their Benton training centre ahead of Saturday evening’s trip to Premier League champions Manchester City as Eddie Howe remains without injured Emil Krafth (knee), Joe Willock (hamstring) and Javier Manquillo (groin).

Up front, Alexander Isak is set to lead the line as the Swedish striker netted a brace against Aston Villa. Moreover, Callum Wilson once again proved that he could be an excellent alternative to the Swede.

Despite being the league's leading scorer since the start of April, Callum Wilson had to settle for a place on the bench in Newcastle’s curtain-raiser last weekend. Having now found the back of the net 12 times in his 13 league appearances, Wilson improved his record as the England international scored on the opening weekend in each of the last four seasons.

Having scored 12 goals in his 13 league appearances, Callum Wilson improved his record as the England international scored on the opening weekend in each of the last four seasons.

Should the Newcastle United boss keep both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson fit throughout the season (he will certainly need both strikers more than ever, given Newcastle's European campaign) we should see a serious number of goals and results to match.

Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes both impressed last weekend and Eddie Howe has an important dilemma on the eve of the trip to the Etihad. Barnes also enjoyed a dream debut for the North East outfit as the ex-Leicester City forward scored a goal and also provided an assist for Callum Wilson.

Brazilian duo Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton should keep their roles in the middle of the park, with summer signing Sandro Tonali scoring on his official debut. The Italian midfielder needed only a couple of minutes to open the scoring against Aston Villa and has been one of the key performers for Eddie Howe. 

Manchester City: Ederson - Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji - Mateo Kovacic, Rodri - Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, Jack Grealish - Erling Haaland. (4-2-3-1)

Newcastle United: Nick Pope - Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn - Joelinton, Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali - Miguel Almirón, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon. (4-3-3)

Pep Guardiola’s side are returning to their Etihad headquarters for the first time this season. They're bidding to stretch their brilliant Premier League winning streak on home turf to 11 games, having won all their games at the Etihad in 2023, since a disappointing 1-1 draw with Frank Lampard's Everton on New Year's Eve.

The Sky Blues were really powerful at home last season, indeed, but this is a new campaign, and we might see a tight contest between these two well-drilled sides.

Sitting top of the table after the opening weekend of the campaign, Newcastle United's players and staff have no reason to fear Saturday night's Premier League encounter with defending champions Manchester City.

Having won just one of their final four away games last season, Newcastle will have to be tight at the back and clinical in attack if they are to stop City. They have conceded in each of their last nine top-flight matches on the road - since a goalless draw at Selhurst Park (against Crystal Palace) in January.

Eddie Howe should take plenty of encouragement from watching Sevilla's bright (but wise) attacking display in midweek. The fatigue and absence of recognizable leaders, especially of playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, will do City no favors either, but they still have too much firepower for Newcastle.