Premier League | Gameweek 25

Feb 15, 2025 at 3pm UK

Etihad Stadium

Man City vs Newcastle

Match preview

Three days after limping past Leyton Orient in the fourth round of the FA Cup, Man City suffered another painful and demoralising collapse in the Champions League as they surrendered a one-goal lead with five minutes remaining to lose 3-2 at home to ruthless holders Real Madrid in the first leg of their play-off tie on Tuesday.

While Real are renowned for their trademark smash-and-grab heroics on Europe's biggest stage, Man City have developed a nasty habit of surrendering late in games and have now lost five games in all competitions this season in which they led, as many as they had in the previous four seasons combined.

Frustrating errors ultimately cost Pep Guardiola's ageing side on the night, and before they attempt to put things right in next week's return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Citizens must shift their focus back to the Premier League and their battle for a top-four finish, which is looking increasingly difficult for a team who have won just half of their 24 league games this term (D5 L7).

Man City were thrashed 5-1 by Arsenal in their last top-flight game a fortnight ago, leaving them in fifth place and a staggering 18 points behind leaders Liverpool. They are also two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and level on points with sixth-placed Newcastle, who also have the same goal difference.

The Citizens can take heart from the fact that Guardiola's side have lost just one of their last 34 Premier League meetings with Newcastle (W27 D6) and have won each of their last 15 home games against the Magpies; only three teams in top-flight history have a longer winning run against the same opponents at home (Everton vs. Fulham - 22 from 1961 to 2018, Aston Villa vs. Sheffield United - 16 from 1903 to 1921 and Man United vs. Luton - 16 from 1955 to 2023, still running).

It's been a while since Newcastle last won away at Man City in the Premier League. That was back in September 2000, when they won 1-0 at Maine Road. Since then, the Magpies have endured a difficult run of form, with no wins in 20 games (D2 L18) and no goals scored in their last five visits to the Etihad.

But Newcastle head to the blue side of Manchester on Saturday having won each of their last four Premier League away games, including victories over Man United (2-0), Tottenham (2-1) and Arsenal (2-0). The last time they won five in a row was in October 1994 - the only time that has ever happened in the division.

Newcastle have not beaten Man City away in the Premier League since September 2000, when they won 1-0 at Maine Road. Since then, the Magpies have endured a torrid 20-game run without a win away from home (D2 L18) and have failed to score in any of their last five visits to the Etihad.

However, Newcastle travel to the blue side of Manchester on Saturday having won each of their last four Premier League away games, including victories over Man United (2-0), Tottenham (2-1) and Arsenal (2-0); the last time they won five in a row was in October 1994 - the only time that has ever happened in the division.

The Magpies extended their away winning streak in all competitions to six games when they beat League One leaders Birmingham City 3-2 in the fourth round of the FA Cup last weekend, thanks to a brace from Joe Willock and a goal from Callum Wilson.

The victory at St Andrews came just three days after Newcastle booked their place in next month's EFL Cup final with a 4-0 aggregate win over Arsenal in the semi-finals. Ending a 70-year trophy drought is high on the agenda for Eddie Howe's men, but so too is securing Champions League football for next season.

The Magpies' top-four credentials are sure to be tested in the coming weeks as they face Man City, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool in their next three Premier League games, while they also have Aston Villa, Chelsea and Arsenal to face this term. However, they have already taken 11 points from games against these six teams, so they should be relishing these big occasions.

Recent Performance

Manchester City Premier League form:WWDWWL

Manchester City form (all competitions):LWWLWL

Newcastle United Premier League form:WWWLWL

Newcastle United form (all competitions):WLWLWW

Team News

Man City will be sweating over the fitness of Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji, who picked up muscular injuries in midweek and are major doubts. Oscar Bobb and Nico Gonzalez will also be assessed, while Rodri remains a long-term absentee.

The expected absence of Akanji, who started at right-back against Real Madrid, could see Guardiola opt for either Rico Lewis or Matheus Nunes at right-back, while Nathan Ake could be back in contention after playing an hour in defence on his return from injury on Tuesday.

Guardiola will consider whether to stick with John Stones in midfield or give a start to one or both of Gonzalez - if fit - Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva, while Jeremy Doku, who has just recovered from injury, Savinho, Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden will all be battling for starts on the flanks.

For Newcastle, Jamaal Lascelles (knee) and Harvey Barnes (muscle) remain sidelined, while Anthony Gordon (thigh), Joelinton (knee), Sven Botman (knee) and Dan Burn (groin) are all minor doubts and will be assessed before kick-off.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope returned to the starting line-up last time out and Howe must decide whether to stick with his former number one or recall Martin Dubravka between the sticks.

Fabian Schar, Lewis Hall, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak are all likely to be recalled after coming on as substitutes in the FA Cup, with the latter having scored 10 of his 17 Premier League goals away from home this season, although he is yet to find the net in three visits to the Etihad.

Possible starting lineup

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Kovacic; Savinho, Foden, Marmoush; Haaland

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Dubravka; Livramento, Botman, Schar, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon