Manchester City vs Newcastle preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

• Over 2.5 goals

• Both teams to score

• Manchester City to win

When Manchester City welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, no doubt there will be only one thing on their mind, and that is to capitalize on Arsenal’s midweek slip-up at Wolves.

City’s renewed belief stems from Arsenal’s recent stumble. Pep Guardiola’s side probably couldn’t believe their luck as they watched their rivals drop points against Wolves after drawing with Brentford. That sequence has shifted momentum, even if the table still shows City trailing by five points.

Manchester City have put together a four-game winning run across three different competitions, which began with a 3-1 second-leg win over Newcastle in the EFL Cup semi-finals, before claiming two important Premier League triumphs over Liverpool (3-1) and Fulham (3-0).

They also have a game in hand and can reduce the gap at the summit to just two points with a win over Newcastle, before Arteta's men prepare for the North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.

Since suffering a disappointing 3-2 home defeat to Brentford in the Premier League a fortnight ago, Newcastle have won three consecutive away games in three different competitions. A 2-1 league win at Tottenham was followed by a 3-1 comeback victory over 10-man Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round last weekend.

Eddie Howe’s side then put Qarabag FK to the sword 6-1 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout round playoff, courtesy of four first-half goals from Anthony Gordon.

Before preparing for next week’s second leg at St James’ Park, Newcastle must first turn their attention to Man City. However, each of Newcastle’s last nine PL away victories have been against sides starting the day in the bottom half of the table.

Newcastle are seeking to complete their first league double over Manchester City since 1983-84 in the second tier, following their 2-1 home victory in November. The Magpies have not done the double over City in the top flight since 1955-56.

However, Newcastle’s record at the Etihad also leaves a lot to be desired, as they have failed to win any of their previous 20 league visits to Man City’s home stadium (D2 L18). This is the most a team has played at a venue without ever picking up three points in Premier League history.

Manchester City have several fitness concerns heading into the game. Erling Haaland is a doubt after missing the recent fixture against Salford due to a knock sustained the previous week.

Jeremy Doku is also dealing with a calf issue, while Savinho remains sidelined with a quad problem. Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic are confirmed absentees, and Max Alleyne’s status remains uncertain.

Newcastle arrive in strong scoring form after their emphatic 6-1 Champions League win over Qarabag, though they have been dealt a major blow with Bruno Guimaraes ruled out for around two months. Tino Livramento (thigh), Fabian Schar (ankle) and Emil Krafth (knee) are all sidelined with injuries, while Lewis Miley (thigh), Sven Botman (back) and Yoane Wissa (knock) will be assessed ahead of kickoff after missing the win over Qarabag.

Anthony Gordon starred as a central striker against Qarabag and he may continue in the same role this weekend, with Nick Woltemade operating in a deeper central position, while Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga are all set to compete for a start on the flanks.

Barnes scored both goals in Newcastle’s aforementioned 2-1 victory over Man City in the reverse fixture and he will be looking to become the first Magpies player since Alan Shearer in 2004-05 to score home and away against the Citizens in the same top-flight campaign.

Manchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, O'Reilly; Bernardo, Cherki; Semenyo, Haaland

Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Joelinton, Tonali; Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes; Gordon

This will be the fourth meeting between Man City and Newcastle this season, and their second encounter this month. Previous clashes have demonstrated Newcastle’s ability to disrupt elite sides, including taking points off Guardiola’s men earlier in the campaign.

However, Bruno Guimaraes’ absence weakens their midfield control. If Haaland is fit enough to start, City’s cutting edge should prove decisive in what feels like a must-win encounter.

Correct score prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle