Manchester City host Newcastle United tomorrow afternoon following an enticing match away at Bristol City in midweek, where the Blues came out on top three goals to nil. The 12:30 pm (GMT) kick-off is live on BT Sport 1 for viewers in the United Kingdom.
Team News
Pep Guardiola revealed today that Stefan Ortega, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte all trained and 'feel better, much better'.
Stones returns to first-team training after sustaining a hamstring injury in City's FA Cup victory over Arsenal in February.
Laporte has been struggling with illness, but the positive news about his training suggests he could be in line to face the Magpies tomorrow afternoon.
Ortega left the field at halftime last Tuesday, but his quick turnaround to training suggests it was just precautionary.
Predicted XI:
Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Ake, De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan, Foden, Haaland, Grealish
Opposition
Eddie Howe's Newcastle head to the Etihad following a recent dip in form. The Magpies have failed to win any of their four previous games, the latest being a defeat to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final.
After failing to score in their last two games, Newcastle will look to put a change to that against a City side who look to have hit form in recent weeks.
Newcastle currently sit 5th in the Premier League table, with two games in hand over fourth-placed Spurs.
Guardiola has clear admiration for the Newcastle boss as when asked about him this afternoon, he replied 'incredible'. The Catalan stated that when it comes to transitions and set pieces, 'they're the best team in the Premier League'.
Following concern around star player Bruno Guimaraes' ankle injury, Howe has stated that 'Bruno is fine. He was in short-term pain…nothing has impacted his training week'.
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope returns from suspension, and Anthony Gordon will be included in the squad after he was cup-tied last Sunday.
Head-to-Head
Played: 187
Won: 74
Drawn: 41
Lost: 72
In the reverse fixture, it was an enthralling game which finished 3-3. Newcastle were 3-1 up, but a frantic five minutes brought City level with goals from Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva.
The last time City lost to Newcastle was in January 2019, a game which saw Sergio Agüero open the score within 30 seconds.
Officials
Referee: Simon Hooper
Assistants: Adrian Holmes & Simon Long
Fourth Official: Anthony Taylor
VAR: Michael Salisbury
Assistant VAR: Dan Robathan
Written by: @Ptolemy04
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