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Manchester City logo
Premier League | Gameweek 34
Jul 8, 2020 at 6pm UK
Etihad Stadium
Newcastle logo

Man City
5 - 0
Newcastle

Jesus (10'), Mahrez (21'), Fernandez (58' og.), Silva (65'), Sterling (90+1')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Preview: Manchester City vs. Newcastle United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Newcastle United, including team news and predicted lineups.

Manchester City play host to Newcastle United on Wednesday night looking to move closer to securing second place in the Premier League table.

The Magpies make the trip to the Etihad Stadium having put together a six-match unbeaten streak in the top flight, a run which has ensured that Steve Bruce and his side will not face a relegation battle during the closing weeks.


Match preview

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on July 2, 2020© Reuters

While second-placed City remain with an eight-point cushion over Leicester City, Pep Guardiola's side have lost three of their last six matches in the Premier League.

Although each of those setbacks have come away from home, the Spaniard will naturally be concerned that his team are not living up to his high expectations on a regular basis.

Despite Liverpool having already been crowned champions, Guardiola will want that rectified over the coming weeks, especially with City looking to win the FA Cup and their first-ever Champions League.

Guardiola may point to the hectic schedule as a reason for their indifferent results, but a lack of a ruthless streak in the final third was to blame in the defeat to Southampton on Sunday evening.

Gabriel Jesus has not taken advantage of his opportunities in place of the injured Sergio Aguero, with the Brazilian now having gone nine games without finding the back of the net.

With the game in midweek coming just 10 days after City outclassed Newcastle in the FA Cup, Bruce will hope that his players have learned lessons from that humbling at St James' Park.

Although City only prevailed by a 2-0 scoreline, the margin should have been far wider, and Bruce will inevitably have to consider a different strategy for the visit to Manchester.

Nevertheless, recording 12 points from six matches in the Premier League highlights that his squad are in good shape heading into one of their toughest fixtures of the campaign.

While the Magpies will have 10th spot in their sights, they are aware that a heavy defeat against City could result in them dropping down to 14th position.

Manchester City Premier League form: LWWLWL
Manchester City form (all competitions): WWLWWL

Newcastle United Premier League form: DWWDWD
Newcastle United form (all competitions): WWDLWD


Team News

Kevin De Bruyne warms up for Man City on March 1, 2020© Reuters

Having began the game at St Mary's on the substitutes' bench, Kevin De Bruyne is likely to be recalled to the City side.

Nicolas Otamendi, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden will also expect to feature in the first XI on Wednesday evening.

As it stands, Aguero is the only player who will miss out through injury.

Bruce could opt to make sweeping changes to his Newcastle team for this game, while also switching back to five at the back.

Nabil Bentaleb should replace the injured Isaac Hayden, with DeAndre Yedlin, Fabian Schar and Danny Rose all in line to play in defence.

Allan Saint-Maximin is unlikely to be involved, while Bruce has revealed that Miguel Almiron is carrying a thigh problem.

Matt Ritchie and Valentino Lazaro could deputise on the flanks, with Joelinton reverting to a central role.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Mendy; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Foden, Jesus, Sterling

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Yedlin, Fernandez, Lascelles, Schar, Rose; Ritchie, Bentaleb, Shelvey, Lazaro; Joelinton


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Manchester City 4-1 Newcastle United

Despite Newcastle's good form heading into this contest, there is every expectation that City will produce a positive response from their setback at the weekend. Although Newcastle are performing well enough in attack to get on the scoresheet, they could ship several goals at the other end.



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Written by
Darren Plant

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Manchester City win with a probability of 78.32%. A draw had a probability of 13.9% and a win for Newcastle United had a probability of 7.73%.

The most likely scoreline for a Manchester City win was 2-0 with a probability of 12.17%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 3-0 (10.7%) and 1-0 (9.23%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (6.6%), while for a Newcastle United win it was 0-1 (2.5%). The actual scoreline of 5-0 was predicted with a 3.7% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Manchester City would win this match.


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Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne pictured on June 17, 2020
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Arsenal18106235161936
3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


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