Premier League Betting Preview: Manchester City vs Newcastle United

January 13, 2024

Newcastle United take on Manchester City at St. James' Park in the Premier League on Saturday, 13 January 2024.

Manchester City earned a 1-0 win over Newcastle United in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium in August, while The Magpies claimed a 1-0 League Cup win over Pep Guardiola's side at St. James' Park in September.

Alexander Isak's second-half winner gave the North East side a rare win over their opponents.

Newcastle's record against Manchester City in the Premier League leaves little to be desired, though, as the Magpies have only won one, drawn five and lost 26 of their last 32 top-flight meetings - their only success during this dreadful run being a 2-1 victory at St. James' Park in January 2019.

Newcastle United Betting Preview (+360 at Everygame)

The Magpies suffered a 4-2 defeat at league leaders Liverpool on New Year's Day - their fourth consecutive loss across all competitions (including their penalty-shootout defeat at Chelsea in the League Cup last month).

However, Eddie Howe's side returned to winning ways with a massive 3-0 victory at Sunderland on 6 January. It was their first victory over their arch rivals since August 2011, thus ending a nine-game winless run against the Black Cats.

Still, Newcastle sit 9^th in the table on 29 points, 11 points behind Arsenal in fourth, and should they lose today - it will be their 10^th league of the season. Which would be twice as much as they lost throughout 2022-23.

Indeed, Newcastle lost just five Premier League matches last season and also produced the league's joint-best defensive record along with Manchester City (33). This season, the Magpies have already conceded 29 goals in just 20 matches and the constant number of injuries doesn't make the situation any better.

Eddie Howe's side have been dealt yet another injury blow after key player Joelinton was ruled out for an extended period. The Brazilian picked up a thigh injury and was forced off during the FA Cup win over Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland and a scan has now revealed he'll be missing for at least six weeks.

Joelinton's absence would see 17-year-old Lewis Miley, who made his senior debut for Newcastle in the aforementioned League Cup victory over Manchester City in September, handed a start in center midfield alongside Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes.

Newcastle's attacking trident should be composed of Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron as the left and right wingers, respectively, either side of Alexander Isak.

Alexander Isak scored a brace at the Stadium of Light last time out and the Swedish forward should lead the line. Not that Eddie Howe has much options anyway as Callum Wilson has missed Newcastle's last two games due to a calf issue and the England forward has been ruled out of Saturday's clash against Manchester City.

The Newcastle boss ruled Wilson out until the trip to Aston Villa at the end of this month as he joins the ever-growing injury list.

Italian midfielder Sandro Tonalli remains suspended until next season, while first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope, as well as Matt Targett, Javier Manquillo, Elliot Anderson, Joe Willock, Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes and Joelinton are all injured for Newcastle.

Manchester City Betting Preview (-145 at Everygame)

The Cityzens have won five in a row in all competitions while conceding just once since the disappointing 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League in mid-December.

Pep Guardiola's side trail leaders Liverpool by five points, but with a game in hand, so a victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday would keep them in touch and could be intimidating as Manchester City are well-known for their ability to build late-season momentum.

Manchester City have won just three of their last seven Premier League away games (3-1-3), which might be something of a concern by their own high standards, but as we already mentioned - they are renowned for building late-season momentum.

However, all three of those wins have come in their last five visits as Manchester City suffered back-to-back away defeats at Wolves and Arsenal earlier this season, when Rodri was suspended.

Moreover, Pep Guardiola's side still hold the best away record in the league alongside Liverpool (both sides winning 19 points on the road) and you just expect them to deliver more.

Kevin De Bruyne's long-awaited comeback against Huddersfield in the FA Cup was arguably the highlight for Pep Guardiola's side. The Belgian playmaker was introduced as a second-half substitute against Huddersfield last weekend and was able to set up fellow returnee Jeremy Doku for Man City's fifth goal.

With five goals in his last four matches in all competitions, Julian Alvarez has been in superb form for Manchester City ever since he bagged a brace to inspire their 4-0 victory over Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense for the FIFA Club World Cup trophy last month.

Phil Foden also boasts six goal involvements in his last four games for City (four goals and two assists) and the England international is set to support Alvarez.

The defending champions remain without top scorer Erling Haaland for Saturday's trip to Newcastle and the England international John Stones will also miss the game due to injury, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

Elsewhere, Manuel Akanji is also a minor doubt after the Swiss defender was forced off in the first half against Huddersfield with a knee issue, while Kalvin Phillips and Bernardo Silva both missed the game due to illness but the pair should be fit to return on Saturday.

The Manchester City boss was hopeful Jack Grealish could also be involved following illness.

Elsewhere, Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker are expected to be recalled in City's backline, with Ederson replacing Stefan Ortega between the sticks, while Rodri could be partnered in the middle by one of Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic or youngster Rico Lewis.

Possible Starting Lineups of Newcastle United and Manchester City

Newcastle United: Martin Dubravka - Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn - Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley - Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon. (4-3-3)

Manchester City: Ederson - Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Kyle Walker - Mateo Kovacic, Rodri - Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva - Julian Alvarez. (4-2-3-1)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

Newcastle hold one of the strongest home records in the league (third best after Aston Villa and Liverpool). Yet, even that record won’t see them taking anything for granted after Nottingham Forest ended Newcastle's sequence of seven successive home league wins by beating them 3-1 on Boxing Day.

Despite the considerable number of missing players, The Magpies know they have what it takes to trouble their opponents, against whom they also drew 3-3 at St. James' Park in August 2022.

The derby victory over Sunderland was a step in the right direction, as Eddie Howe stated, but the Black Cats are nowhere near Manchester City's level and this game represents a completely different challenge for either side.

Manchester CIty haven't dropped points in their first Premier League game of a calendar year since another trip on North East - a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland in 2012, winning the next 11 games though.

The Magpies cannot be written off in front of a raucous atmosphere but let's face it, Pep Guardiola's side appear to have regained their groove at the right time. Given their current form and their record against Newcastle over the past years, we believe the reigning champions will find a way to claim maximum points at St James' Park on Saturday.

Spooky Express Free Play: Outcome And Both To Score - Manchester City and Yes +210 at Everygame for 4/10 Units

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