Manchester City visits St. James’ Park tomorrow night to take on Newcastle United in a match-up of two sides at opposite ends of the Premier League spectrum. The Geordies currently reside in 17th place, only two points above the drop zone. Rafa Benitez finds himself in the midst of a real scrap for safety this season as his side is one of four that are just only three points above Cardiff City for the final relegation slot.
Meanwhile Man City are continuing their quest to catch Liverpool for the league lead, currently sitting just four points behind the top of the table Reds. City manager Pep Guardiola, ahead of the win over Burnley in the FA Cup 4th round, really made a point of his intention to to field a very strong side.
Well, it looks like that was just mind games, as he left Aymeric Laporte, David Silva, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling all out of the starting XI. While he still had plenty of stars in his first team, expect the quarter to return for the City starting lineup here. This fixture is a matchup of two sides that are very close to full fitness.
Ki Sung-Yeung remains the only injury concern for the Magpies.
For City, captain Vincent Kompany remains out injured while back-up goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (Achilles) remains a long term injury absentee.
Manchester City Starting XI Prediction at Newcastle United
Forwards: Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling
Midfielders: David Silva, Fernandinho, Bernando Silva
Defenders: Danilo Aymeric Laporte John Stones Kyle Walker
Goalkeeper: Ederson
Manchester City at Newcastle United FYIs
Kickoff: Tuesday, January 29, 745 pm local, St. James’ Park
Google Result Probability: Manchester City win 79%, Draw 14%, Newcastle win 7%
Odds via Odds Checker: Manchester City 2/9, Draw 13/2, Newcastle United 17/1
Prediction: Manchester City 2, Newcastle United 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.