Premier League news: Manchester City vs Newcastle Utd – Five key battles and score prediction

On Saturday, struggling Manchester City host Carabao Cup finalists Newcastle United, with both teams fighting for the Premier League top four.

City looked to have finally turned a corner in January but have since lost 5-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates and 3-2 at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Nevertheless, history favours the hosts this weekend as Newcastle’s last league win at City was way back in 2000 and they have not even managed a draw at the Etihad since the Citizens moved there in 2011.

Sports News Blitz writer Joseph Hannen looks at five key battles to anticipate and offers a score prediction.

Phil Foden vs Sandro Tonali

Last season’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year Phil Foden is yet to reach the heights this term, despite a recent upturn in form.

Seven goals and two assists in 15 starts is a fair return, but both Foden and City will want those stats to have increased significantly come May.

However, six goals in his last five league outings prove that he is nearing his best form.

Tracking his every movement this weekend will be Sandro Tonali, Newcastle’s midfield maestro and a key reason for the Toon Army’s sensational form since December.

Tonali’s return has revolutionised Howe’s midfield as the Italian fills a defensive midfielder role that allows Bruno Guimaraes to push forward into an advanced position.

As a result, the Brazilian has seven goal contributions thus far, a key contribution to Newcastle’s charge for the Champions League.

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Erling Haaland vs Fabian Schar

The second-highest scorer this season with 19, Erling Haaland will have his eyes set on a third successive Premier League Golden Boot.

That said, he has only managed one goal in five matches against the Magpies.

Haaland has scored in each of his last three league matches, though, and is likely keen on extending that run against a defence currently short of centre-back options.

Fabian Schar, as the only centre-back sure to feature for Howe’s side, will have his work cut out for him on Saturday.

He recently starred in Newcastle’s semi-final second leg win over Arsenal, man-marking Declan Rice out of the game and grabbing an assist.

The Swiss international has also contributed to six clean sheets and is expected to sign a new deal before his contract expires in the summer.

Yet, Schar’s noticeably poor success rate when it comes to duels won (46.9%) and aerial duels won (40.0%) is sure to grab Pep Guardiola’s attention.

As a result, Haaland could very well physically dominate Schar one-on-one, so Howe will be desperate for Sven Botman to be available as well.

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Alexander Isak vs Ruben Dias

Two goals behind Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot is Alexander Isak, Newcastle’s Swedish superstar is enjoying the season of his career so far.

The talisman has 17 goals and five assists this term and recently won the club’s Player of the Month award for January.

Isak’s record in black and white is simply outrageous, scoring 54 goals in just 95 appearances.

Guardiola’s side have been leaky at the back, with only two clean sheets in their last 10, meaning Newcastle will be confident of breaking a scoring drought at the Etihad that stretches back to September 2018.

Despite Guardiola chopping and changing for every match these days, Ruben Dias is expected to find himself in Isak’s way this weekend.

Dias’ career at City has actually been rather underrated, with the Portuguese defender winning the title in each of his four seasons in England.

He is, by all accounts, one of the Premier League’s greatest centre-backs, although he is rarely mentioned in such conversations.

Considering Isak’s form and Dias’ pedigree, their battle at the Etihad is certain to be a tough one.

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Savinho vs Kieran Trippier

The reigning champions have a plethora of attacking options, so predicting who starts is always a challenge.

With that said, Savinho should get the nod despite playing 84 minutes against Madrid last night after Grealish suffered what appeared to be a knock in the first leg tie.

Despite scoring only one goal this season, the tricky Brazilian winger has largely impressed since joining from Girona in the summer.

He sits fifth for successful dribbles in the league with 41 and has a dribble success rate of 65.1%.

Although Valentino Livramento has retaken the right-back berth in recent times – his leadership and experience were particularly crucial in last week's semi-final triumph over Arsenal – his 90 minutes against Birmingham in the FA Cup imply that Trippier is in line to start against Savinho.

The 34-year-old has only started five league games this season, but he has arguably been Newcastle’s best signing since the 2022 takeover and is always reliable when called upon.

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Pep Guardiola vs Eddie Howe

Guardiola boasts a highly impressive record against Howe, winning 14 of 17 clashes.

Howe’s sole triumph over the Catalan came in late 2023, when Newcastle knocked City out of the Carabao Cup.

The two managers will be desperate for the three points on Saturday, though, as the fight for Champions League qualification continues to heat up.

Both teams, interestingly enough, have an identical record in the league – 41 points from 12 wins, five draws, and seven losses.

With the Magpies yet to lose away from home in 2025, they will fancy themselves for a positive result away at City for the first time since a 2-0 League Cup triumph in 2014.

On the player side of things, Guadiola has a handful of doubts, including Jeremy Doku, Oscar Bobb, new signing Nico Gonzalez, and long-term patient Rodri.

Summary

For Newcastle fans, there is never optimism when it comes to a trip to the Etihad.

However, this season could see a change in fortunes, sandwiched as it is between City’s Champions League ties with Madrid.

Guardiola’s side must win in Spain next week to progress beyond the knockout play-offs, so he is likely to rest some players against the Magpies.

Newcastle must use that to their advantage by showing confidence from the off and maintaining their usual intensity.

Regardless of the end results, though, a match-up between the league's two best strikers spells goals at the very least.

Score prediction: Man City 2-2 Newcastle Utd

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