Two desperate sides are about to square off in the Premier League. Both clubs are in the hunt to be able to play in the Champions League the upcoming season. As for now, City and Newcastle are outside the Champions League next season. But things can turn around fast in the premiership.
Manchester City hosted Real Madrid in the first leg in the knockout phase of the Champions League. Real won the match 3-2 and their troubles just keeps going on for City and their manager Pep Guardiola. City currently sit at the 5th spot in the PL stadings, Two points behind Chelsea at the 4th position and Newcasle at the 6th spot with 41, just as City has.
The Citizens took care of Leyton Orient in the FA-Cup over the weekend away from home. City got trashed by Arsenal away in their prior Premier League fixture, 1-5. City obviously has a lot of stuff to prove currently. Mostly to themselves. The team has never looked so disoriented on the pitch under the regime of Guardiola. City needs to string some good results together going forward with the season.
The Magies took out Birmingham City in the FA-cup the past weekend. The game was won by 3-2. Joseph Willock scored two of the goals. Newcastle were on fire for a while but have lost some of their shine recently. Newcastle have lost two out of their last three fixtures in the Premiership. The Magpies lost at home to Fulham in their prior PL fixture, 1-2. The manager Eddie Howe knows that they must step up if they are about to get into the Champions League the upcoming season. Alexander Isak, the Swedish striker, has been awesome the whole season with 17 scored goals.
Newcastle will have to do without a couple of players. Harvey Barnes and James Lascelles are out. Anthony Gordon, Joleinton, Dan Burn and Sven Botman are doubtful. Rodri is out for City. Manuel Akanji and Jake Grealish will be game time decisions. That goes for Oscar Bobb and Nico Gonzalez too.
Man City: Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Kovacic; Savinho, Foden, Marmoush; Haaland.
Newcastle: Dubravka; Livramento, Botman, Schar, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
