PL Matchweek 26: Manchester City vs. Newcastle United

PL Matchweek 26: Manchester City vs. Newcastle United

Manchester City (2nd) vs Newcastle (5th)

PL MATCHWEEK 26: MANCHESTER CITY VS. NEWCASTLE UNITED – Manchester City will be taking on Newcastle United this Saturday as two of the Premier League’s top five teams go head-to-head.

Manchester City are breathing down the necks of 1st place Arsenal and are very much in the chase for another Premier League title. Newcaslte United have their sights set on a top four spot and Champions League qualification.

Click here to read Austen’s coverage of Liverpool vs. Manchester United.

Manchester City had a comfortable 4-1 win against Bournemouth in their last Premier League match. The return of Phil Foden definitely helped, but they still managed to score 4 goals without their most creative player Kevin DeBruyne. 

Recent form has been quite bad for Newcastle. They are winless in their previous four and have only one victory in their previous seven Premier League matches.

Their last Premier League match was against Liverpool, where they found themselves losing both a goalkeeper and three points. Goalkeeper Nick Pope will return between the posts this weekend as he served his suspension during the midweek FA Cup loss to Manchester United. Keep in mind though, Newcastle have only lost 2 games this season and both of those games were to the same team. 

Date: Saturday, 03/04/2023 at 7:30 AM EST

Pitch: Manchester City – Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

Current PL Form: | Manchester City (LWWDW) | Newcastle United (WDDDL) |

Last PL Match: | Bournemouth 1 – 4 Manchester City | | Newcastle United 0 – 2 Liverpool |

Head to Head

Draft Kings Moneyline Odds: | HOME: -215 | TIE: +340 | AWAY: +500 |

Prop Bet: | Total Goals Over 2.5 & Erling Haaland 2+ Shots on Target (+145) | 

Recent history between these two teams has tended to be packed with excitement…and goals. This matchup has produced over 3.5 goals in five of the last six meetings, including the epic 3-3 draw earlier this season. 

Manchester City have scored at least three goals in five of their last seven Premier League matches and have scored more than three goals in 14 of their 25 matches played this season (56%). 

As for Erling Haland getting his shots on goal, it shouldn’t be too much of a concern. He has struggled as of late, only recording three shots on target in his previous five Premier League matches, but he’s managed to do so in 11 of his 25 starts and he recorded three earlier this season against Newcastle United.

Tips

• Manchester City’s John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Stefan Ortega are all doubtful this weekend.
• Manchester City have 31 out of a possible 36 points at the Etihad this season while boasting a +28 goal differential.
• Manchester City have won their last 7 home matches against Newcastle in all competitions.
• Manchester City have scored at least 2 goals in their last 8 matches against Newcastle in all competitions.
• Manchester City have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 home matches against Newcastle in all competitions.
• There have been a total of 29 goals in the last 6 games between these two teams (4.83 goals per game).

The Word

Newcastle have only lost 2 games this season, they are still very much in the hunt for a top 4 Champions League qualification spot, and they have conceeded a league leading fewest goals this season. BUT they are struggling to find form right now and they will be facing a Manchester City side that has looked very much like themselves recently and are desperate for another Premier League title. I think City will be too much to handle for Newcastle. 

PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY 3 – 1 NEWCASTLE UNITED