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Recommended bets
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Match preview
Can Manchester City close the gap at the top of the table, even if only temporarily?
Last weekend, the Citizens swatted aside Bournemouth 4-1 at Dean Court, with Julián Álvarez, Erling Braut Håland and Phil Foden all on target.
So, having won five of their last seven Premier League fixtures, Pep Guardiola’s team are only five points below Arsenal.
Then, on Tuesday night, the Sky Blues cruised into the FA Cup sixth round, swatting aside Bristol City 3-0 at Ashton Gate.
Foden broke the deadlock after just seven minutes, before adding his second of the night, with Kevin De Bruyne completing the rout with a majestic curler.
The Citizens will now host Championship leaders Burnley for a place at Wembley later this month.
As for Newcastle United, their 54-year wait for major silverware goes on.
Last Sunday, Eddie Howe’s team were beaten 2-0 by Man United in the Carabao Cup Final, with the goals coming just four minutes apart towards the end of the first half.
This means the Magpies have now lost five consecutive cup finals, dating back to their Inter-Cities Fairs Cup triumph over Újpest in 1969.
Back in the Premier League, Newcastle do still have 15 games to play and, if they get their act together, they’ll be in the Champions League next season.
The Toon Army have seen their side win just two of eight league games since the restart, albeit they’ve only lost once.
Nevertheless, a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool a fortnight ago saw Newcastle slip down to fifth, four points below Spurs, having played two games less.
Here, the omens don’t look good for the away side, given that the Magpies have lost their last 13 league visits to the Etihad, conceding 44 and scoring just seven.
In fact, Newcastle last scored multiple goals away to Man City in 1996, with their last win coming in 2000; Alan Shearer the only scorer at Maine Road that afternoon.
Everything suggests this’ll be a home banker.
Manchester City team news
Pep Guardiola rotated a bit for the mid-week trip to the West Country, but all the big guns will be back for this one.
This includes Kyle Walker, İlkay Gündoğan, Rodri and Erling Braut Håland, all of whom were unused substitutes at Ashton Gate.
Phil Foden’s three goals in two appearances this season will surely earn him a start.
Kevin De Bruyne missed the games against RB Leipzig an Bournemouth due to illness, but was seemingly at the peak of his powers on Tuesday.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Laporte, Aké; Rodri, Gündoğan, De Bruyne, Maḥrez, Foden; Håland.
Newcastle United team news
Nick Pope will be back in goal having heartbreakingly served his one-match ban in the Carabao Cup Final.
Key midfielder Bruno Guimarães is only just back following a three-game suspension of his own, and certainly did not look match-fit at Wembley.
In attack, Alexander Isak was thrown on at half time last Sunday, so could get the nod over Callum Wilson this time.
If Joe Willock is fit enough to start, he’ll return with Joelinton back on the left-wing and Allan Saint-Maximin back on the bench.
Anthony Gordon is yet to start since arriving from Everton, while Joelinton would miss their next two games, against Wolves and Nottingham Forest, if booked here.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schär, Botman, Burn; Willock, S Longstaff, Guimarães; Almirón, Joelinton; Isak.
Manchester City vs Newcastle United: Head to head statistics
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Premier League table
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