Manchester City will move two points behind Arsenal if they beat Newcastle United(Image: Getty Images/Pick the Team)
Manchester City have a chance to pile the pressure on Arsenal this weekend when they host Newcastle United tonight. The Gunners’ draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers has opened the title race.
Newcastle have not won at the Etihad Stadium since 2014 in the League Cup. But the Blues will not be taking the three points for granted. The Magpies have won their last three matches in all competitions and all of them came away from home.
James Trafford was the only City starter who performed well against Salford but he is guaranteed to move back to the bench. Gianluigi Donnarumma is the Blues’ first choice and his displays since arriving from PSG have been phenomenal. After injury, Ruben Dias has impressed and should return alongside Marc Guehi.
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John Stones needs to recover his fitness but starting against Newcastle would be unlikely. In midfield, Rodri should return to sit in front of the defensive line. However, Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders could be dropped. Neither man performed well against League Two opposition and with so many options they could miss out.
Replacing them could be Nico O’Reilly and Bernardo Silva. Bernardo has shown his experience in recent weeks and Guardiola has been quick to praise his captain at every opportunity. O’Reilly playing in midfield also means Rayan Ait-Nouri continues to hold down the left-back position.
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Rayan Cherki has slipped down the pecking order recently and, despite him scoring at St James’ Park last month, could be dropped in favour of Omar Marmoush. The Egypt international has a brilliant record against Newcastle and could play on the left with Antoine Semenyo on the right.
That leaves Erling Haaland to return up front. Missing the Salford game should have done him the world of good and he will be eager to be back among the goals.
City’s predicted XI vs Newcastle: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri; Semenyo, O’Reilly, Bernardo, Marmoush; Haaland
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