MANCHESTER CITY entertain Newcastle United in what should be a mouthwatering Premier League clash in a Saturday night showdown.
The champions and treble winners added the European Super Cup to their bulging trophy cabinet this week after getting the better of Sevilla following a penalty shootout. It was their first Super Cup triumph.
However, they were hit with a real hammer blow this week with the news that key man Kevin de Bruyne will be missing for the rest of the year after a bad hamstring injury.
That may tempt Pep Guardiola to go back to the transfer market, but he will have to deal with a very real challenge from Newcastle this week first.
Eddie Howe's side introduced themselves to the new season with a real eye-catching 5-1 hammering of an Aston Villa team many had predicted to have a good season last Saturday.
Expectations among the Toon Army are already sky high and that display can only have increased that.
And we should get a solid indication this week whether Newcastle have the tools to really attempt to challenge or at least get close to this all-conquering City side.
How the bookies view it
Manchester City are odds-on favourites here at a best-priced 7/10 with UniBet. Newcastle United can be backed at 4/1 with William Hill and the draw is 3/1 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
Last season, although City cruised to a 2-0 win at the Etihad, the sides fought out an entertaining 3-3 draw at St James' Park.
Newcastle have failed to score on their last four visits to the stadium and haven't actually won at the Etihad in the league although they did win a League Cup tie. Their last away league win against Manchester City came in 2000…at Maine Road.
Players to watch
It's not often that goal machine Erling Haaland is not odds-on to score anytime, but you can get evens on him netting on Saturday night with bet365. He scored a double last week at Burnley.
Swedish international Alexander Isak has now scored 12 goals in just 18 starts in the league for Newcastle and he helped himself to a brace last week against Villa. He is 3/1 to score anytime with UniBet, which has to be worth a shout.
Anything else catch the eye?
This really should have all the makings to be a classic and there should be goals at both ends. Newcastle, although underdogs, have been respected by the bookies which is reflected by the fact City are only just odds-on.
Both teams to score at 3/4 with bet365 looks a very solid shout here.
Robert Jones is in charge of this clash. A Saturday night encounter always seems to have that extra when it comes to atmosphere – which may have something to do with pre-match ‘entertainment'! – and that can lead to meaty challenges.
Newcastle were involved in a game with six cards last week and Jones flashed five cards at the Brentford v Spurs clash last week.
Go for over 4.5 cards at 11/8 with Paddy Power.
This English Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United will be played on Aug 19, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester City vs Newcastle United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
