Manchester City FC vs Newcastle United, Premier League 2020-2021, Today Match Prediction

Manchester City FC vs Newcastle United Match Prediction & Analysis

Although Manchester City have come in for some criticism so far this season, they have put together a respectable run of results which includes just one defeat from their last 11 league matches.

Despite never fully hitting top gear at any point during their opening 13 matches, they still only sit three points off the top four places and eight points off leaders Liverpool with a game in hand. 

They will certainly fancy their chances of making up the gap if they can really hit form over the next month or so.

Newcastle have only lost one of their last four matches, but the feeling is that they’re as likely to lose 3-0 as they are to win by the same scoreline.

They have quality players but many who do not perform consistently enough to earn their side a place in the top half.

City are favourites.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Manchester City FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): WWDDW

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Just one defeat in 11 matches

     Have shown defensive strength of late

Reasons to be fearful:

     Still struggling to score quantities of goals

     Lacking consistent striker up front

Manchester City are a side who have shown us their almost unrivalled quality going forward over the past few seasons under Pep Guardiola, but this campaign have struggled to score goals in the same quantities.

Their 19 goals is the lowest in the top half of the table and have found it difficult without a recognised centre forward for much of the season. Sergio Aguero has been limited to just six appearances due to injury, while Gabriel Jesus has only featured in 10. 

The likes of Sterling and new signing Ferran Torres have often been used there as a ‘false 9’, but are not top-class centre forwards like Aguero and Jesus.

Their defence is much-better, however. Only conceding 12 goals, they have the tightest record in the league.

Star Man – John Stones

His career under Guardiola looked to be over, but he has fought back to be arguably the number one choice for City these days.

Newcastle United Preview

Form Guide (all comps): LWWLD

Reasons to be cheerful

     Only one victory fewer than City this season

     Seven points from last 15 available is comfortable form

Reasons to be fearful 

     Two players still struggling with Covid-19

     Unpredictability means as likely to lose as to win

Newcastle face a tough end of 2020, facing last year’s champions Liverpool following this match up against Manchester City.

They have the firepower up front to win both games, though are probably more likely to thrashed by the pair of them. That’s the situation that Newcastle fans have had to put up with so far this season.

A glance at the table will tell you they are only five points behind City, having played a game fewer due to their postponed fixture due to coronavirus. Sadly, two players, Saint-Maximin and Lascelles are still suffering with long-term symptoms of the disease, several weeks on from catching it.

At least Callum Wilson is still fit and firing – his penalty earned Newcastle their 7th point from their last five matches.

Star Man – Callum Wilson

Now has 8 goals and 3 assists this season – he has already proved to be a great buy by The Magpies