Manchester City will take on Newcastle United in a rollercoaster Premier League Matchday two clash on Saturday, 19 August 2023.
The Premier League giants will be going into the match after beating Laliga side Sevilla on penalties to clinch their first UEFA Super Cup trophy in Greece.
Newcastle United are no longer Premier League minnows after a brilliant campaign last summer. Eddie Howe beat the odds to finish in the top four and qualify Newcastle United for Champions League for the first time in decades.
They have continued on their prolific run, having kickstart their 2023/24 campaign with a convincing 5-1 victory over Aston Villa at St. James’ Park.
Manchester City equally kicked off proceedings with a resounding 3-0 away win over newly-promoted Burnley.
The two teams will be heading into the match at the back of emphatic opening weekend victories.
Match Preview
Manchester City and Newcastle United have met 31 times in all competitions with Manchester City emerging dominant. The treble winners have defeated Newcastle United 25 times, losing twice, and drawing 4.
City continued in their dominance over the Magpies last season, grinding 4 points from the two Premier League encounters with the club.
The first leg at Etihad ended in a 2-0 win while the reverse fixture ended in a six-goal thriller draw.
Team News
Manchester City will be heading into the game without their renowned playmaker, Kevin De Bruyne.
Kevin De Bruyne picked up a harmstring issue in the opening kickoff against Burnley – the second time he has suffered a harmstring issue in less than three months after being hit with the same injury issue in Champions League final against Inter Milan.
Bernardo Silva is another City player that may not be available for the clash. Silva started the Premier League opener against Burnley but was dropped off the lineup in the UEFA Super Cup clash against Sevilla due to illness.
His availability for the clash is still uncertain but a positive prompt could see him return to the lineup.
Erling Haaland is in top shape to start for Manchester City in the attack with Jack Grealish, Rodri, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, and new signing Josko Gvardiol, all expected to start.
Newcastle United new signing Sandro Tonali is expected to return again in the starting lineup for the Magpies after impressing on his debut, scoring in the 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa.
Isak, who bagged a brace in the game against Aston Villa is also expected to make Eddie Howe’s attacking lineup. Joelinton, Anthony Gordon, Almiron, and Guimaraes are also expected to start including Nick Pope.
Starting Lineup
Manchester City XI: Ederson, Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Ake, Mateo Kovacic, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland
Newcastle XI: Pope, Trippier, Botman, Schar, Burn, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Prediction
The match will be a strongly contested game between both sides but Manchester City are expected to leverage on their home advantage and grind out a 2-1 win over the Magpies.
