Premier League champions Manchester City travel to Newcastle for Saturday’s early game as Pep Guardiola look to cement their lead at the top of the table.
There is never an easy game at St. James’ Park and the Spanish boss will be well aware of that as he prepares his starting XI for the match.
With Rodri out for the season, Guardiola has had to make changes, while Howe was sweating on the fitness of star striker Alexander Isak.
But both line-ups have now been named ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash in the North East.
Read on to discover how each team will start this one.
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Newcastle team news
Let’s go, lads! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/a9EevC6j79
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 28, 2024
Newcastle will fancy their chances against City if they can have a fast start, but it is easier said than done.
They will more likely be relying on Nick Pope in goal, and the backline of Lewis Hall, Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier.
The now regular trio of Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali line-up as they look to combat City’s quality in that area of the pitch.
With Isak missing, Harvey Barnes gets the nod, as does Jacob Murphy on the right flank.
Anthony Gordon is expected to play more of a central striker role in the Swede’s absence.
Manchester City team news
Your City line-up for #NEWMCI 🩵
XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Grealish, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Stones, Doku, Savinho, Nunes, Foden, McAtee#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/YY6nl1uYYE
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 28, 2024
As we mentioned, City have had to adjust slightly to compensate for the loss of Rodri.
Ederson remains in goal, with Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker at the back.
Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic start, with the latter the chosen man to replace their star midfielder, Rico Lewis also gets the nod in midfield.
Bernardo Silva gets the nod on the right-hand side and Jack Grealish is preferred to Jeremy Doku on the left.
Erling Haaland will be looking to add to his 10 goals already this season up top.
