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Tip of the game
Match preview
It could be a contrast of styles at St James’ Park on Sunday, with Eddie Howe’s side impressive so far this season but also noticeably tight at the back and frugal in the chances they give away.
It has only been four league matches since Newcastle were battered 5-0 by Manchester City at the end of last season, but so far this season they have picked up two credible results – 0-0 away at Brighton and 2-0 against Nottingham Forest – to put themselves on four points and unbeaten at this early stage, and it’s clear to see that Howe is trying to build his side from the back, with Nick Pope and Sven Botman the headline summer arrivals.
As ever they are looking for more consistency from Allan Saint-Maximin as potentially the one player who could cause City’s defence serious problems, and there is certainly scope for further arrivals in the north east before the end of the window – although Geordie fans will be concerned at reports linking Bruno Guimaraes with a move to Real Madrid to replace Casimiro.
Even with a revitalised defence – Kieran Trippier is almost a new signing as well after recovering from his injury – Pep Guardiola’s men will fancy their chances of claiming three points having racked up nine unanswered goals against the Magpies last season.
Their dominance showed against Bournemouth last time out in a 4-0 triumph and there is a feeling that they have many more gears to find, but the form found by Kevin de Bruyne should send tremors through the rest of the league.
It might not be a free-scoring fixture of previous years for the visitors, but they should have enough to get past Newcastle, though Howe’s side could certainly make it awkward.
