Manchester City are hosting Newcastle United for their Premier League fixture at the Etihad on Saturday. A favourable fixture for the home side who just registered their first loss in the league this season against Liverpool last weekend.
A 7-goal thriller at Anfield saw Pep Guardiola’s side get completely whitewashed in the second half. Liverpool looked like the more dominant and energetic side throughout the game and came back from a 1-1 first half to slot in three more around the hour mark.
The Citizens had no answer for the front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah who did not allow them to play the game out from the back.
However, with a 3 goal lead, Liverpool got complacent at the back and allowed City to get two quick goals in the late stages. Luckily for Jurgen Klopp, the clock ran out and both sides were too tired to keep up the same tempo throughout the game.
Although this does not hurt their title chances a whole lot with a 12 point lead still intact, the Invincibles tag got snatched away and Guardiola will be eager to bounce back to winning ways. A favourable fixture for the Blues and the Spaniard is expected to field his best side in the 4-3-3 formation.
Defence
Ederson could have done better against Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s grounded shot in the last fixture which broke the deadlock but was still impressive for the rest of the game. He is still the first choice keeper and is expected to start in the between the sticks.
John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi are predicted starters in the centre-back role, with Kyle Walker featured in the right-back role.
Fabian Delph limped off in the previous fixture and might get replaced by Danilo. Benjamin Mendy is a long time absentee.
Midfield
Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan have to resume their duties in the holding midfield role, with the Brazilian fielded as the anchor.
No words have come out the City camps about David Silva’s injury and he might not feature in this matchup. Kevin De Bruyne is the expected starter in the attacking midfield role.
Attack
Leroy Sane was the brightest spark for City in the last match and got himself a goal from a brilliant strike towards the near post. He and Raheem Sterling are predicted to start on the flanks with the latter on the right.
Kun Aguero was poor against Liverpool, but with Gabriel Jesus still injured, the Argentine will have to take up the lone striker role.
