Manchester City vs Newcastle tips and predictions: Goals aplenty with Isak to compound Citizens' misery

Manchester City state of play

It’s been a disastrous campaign for Pep Guardiola’s side by their high standards, summed up by a recent 5-1 defeat away at Arsenal in the Premier League. 

Their troubles continued in Europe this week, throwing away a 2-1 lead to lose 3-2 against Real Madrid at home in the Champions League.

Love football? Find the best football betting sites and bet with welcome bonuses today.

An unconvincing victory over League One side Leyton Orient showed that problems remain for City, with their season slowly petering out as they desperately cling on in three competitions.

They had seen an upturn in form recently in the Premier League, winning three of their last five games. However, the disappointing defeat against Arsenal means they are now 16 points behind league leaders Liverpool in England’s top flight. 

City’s focus is now to ensure they finish in the top four to qualify for next season’s Champions League. 

Newcastle state of play

Although the Magpies advanced in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup over the last couple of weeks, they’ve seen a drop off in league form of late. Eddie Howe’s side have lost two of their previous three games in the Premier League and currently find themselves sitting in sixth place.

Newcastle have been scoring freely of late, but keeping the goals out at the other end has been a problem for them. 

The Magpies have it all to play for this season, reaching a Carabao Cup final, still competing in the FA Cup, and just two points away from the Champions League places in the Premier League. 

If they can gather some momentum in England’s top flight, it’s shaping up to be an impressive campaign for Howe’s men. 

Key talking point: Goals galore expected once again

In City’s last five games, both teams have scored in all of them. In Newcastle’s previous five, they’ve scored and conceded in four, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory over Arsenal.

Both sides have found no issues hitting the back of the net over the last few weeks, but their leaky defences have meant there has been goals galore on multiple occasions. This leaves the two clubs locked on 41 points just outside the top four spots going into this weekend's tie. 

The current champions are boosted by a host of new January signings while Newcastle failed to strengthen during the winter window. 

Travelling to the Etihad Stadium has been a major difficulty for the Magpies, failing to score at City’s home ground since 2018. 

FIRST’s top tip for Manchester City vs Newcastle

Both teams to score yes and draw / Newcastle (double chance) – 3/2 (Mr.Play)

Although Newcastle have struggled to score at the Etihad Stadium, this is the most vulnerable Manchester City we’ve seen in years. 

Extra tips

Alexander Isak to score – 37/25 (Mr.Play)

The Swedish striker has scored four goals in his last four Premier League games, and with City struggling defensively, he could get his name on the scoresheet. 

Team news

Manuel Akanji and Jack Grealish both picked up injuries against Real Madrid in midweek, so they could be unavailable.

Joelinton has also been unavailable in recent weeks, while Harvey Barnes is a long-term absentee for Newcastle. 

Manchester City vs Newcastle predicted line-ups

Manchester City: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Kovacic; Savinho, Marmoush, Foden; Haaland (4-2-3-1)

Newcastle: Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Botman, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Gordon, Isak (4-3-3)

Form guide (all competitions)

Manchester City: WWDWLWWLWL

Newcastle: WWWWWLWLWW

Odds correct at the time of writing.