Manchester City return to Premier League action against Newcastle United on Saturday, needing to pick themselves up after yet another late collapse, this time against Real Madrid in their Champions League play-off first-leg tie midweek, where they squandered a late lead to lose 3-2.
That defeat was the latest setback in what has been a season to forget for Pep Guardiola’s side, whose recent results hardly inspire confidence heading into this clash, following a 5-1 thrashing at Arsenal and a narrow 2-1 FA Cup win over League One fodder Leyton Orient.
With City and Newcastle level on 41 points, two behind fourth-placed Chelsea—who lost at Brighton on Friday—this match carries significant implications for Champions League qualification, as the winners will be guaranteed to finish the weekend in fourth.
Given recent results, it’s difficult to back City with much conviction, especially as the visitors possess the one quality the hosts struggle most against—direct, high-speed attacks and the ability to counter at pace.
However, history suggests Newcastle could be the perfect opponents for City to bounce back, with the hosts winning 78 of their 193 meetings with the Magpies and losing just once in their last 34 Premier League encounters. Even more impressive for the hosts, Newcastle haven’t won at the Etihad in nearly 25 years and have lost on each of their last 15 visits, failing to score in their last five.
That record suggests that whatever City’s problems may be, they always seem to find a way past Newcastle. And when you factor in the fact they have scored in each of their last 32 league meetings with the Magpies, their chances look even brighter, especially with Erling Haaland, who has 19 league goals, leading the line.
Newcastle United: Time to Break the Etihad Hoodoo?
Having won their last four away matches in a row, Newcastle are unlikely to be fazed by their dreadful record at the Etihad and will see this as their best opportunity in years to break their Etihad curse, particularly with City looking out of sorts this season.
Eddie Howe’s side thrive on quick transitions, and their ability to break at pace could be a nightmare for City’s leaky defence, who will have their hands full trying to contain the red-hot Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
Isak, with 17 goals this season, is Newcastle’s main attacking threat, but Gordon has arguably been their most consistent performer, registering a goal or assist in 13 of his last 16 games. He’s also not afraid to take a shot, which leads us nicely into one of our betting picks for this game.
Betting Tip: Manchester City Win or Draw & Both Teams to Score; Erling Haaland Anytime Scorer; Anthony Gordon 1+ Shots on Target
15/02 16:00 Manchester City – Newcastle United Man City Win or Draw & Both Teams to Score @ 2.82; Erling Haaland Anytime Scorer @ 1.75; Anthony Gordon 1+ Shots on Target @ 1.47 (Betano)
Not too long ago, this fixture would have been written off as a routine victory for Man City, with goals to spare, but their struggles this season mean punters can no longer back Guardiola’s side with the carefree confidence of old, even at home!
However, just one loss in their last 34 Premier League meetings with Newcastle is a large enough sample size to make backing City to, at the very least, avoid defeat here a solid bet.
Their long-standing dominance over the Magpies suggests that even before they became the all-conquering force of recent years, City have always had Newcastle’s number, and this fixture has historically been one they’ve thrived in.
They’ve also scored in each of their last 32 league meetings with Newcastle, and with Erling Haaland leading the line, the hosts should make it 33 consecutive games against Newcastle where goals aren’t an issue.
However, City’s defensive problems make a clean sheet unlikely, particularly against Newcastle’s counter-attacking threat spearheaded by the in-form Isak and Gordon. Eddie Howe’s side also have momentum, having won four straight away games, so this will be no walk in the park for the hosts—even if they manage to avoid defeat.
Back Man City Win or Draw & Both Teams to Score at 2.82 odds on Betano
Manchester City vs Newcastle United - Man City Win or Draw & Both Teams to Score @ 2.82
Erling Haaland Anytime Scorer @ 1.75
Haaland has faced some criticism lately, but write off the Norwegian at your peril. He scored against Real Madrid in midweek—his first goal in a City shirt against them—so he looks back to his terrifyingly efficient best.
Only Mo Salah has scored more than his 19 league goals this season, and against a Newcastle side that hasn’t kept a clean sheet in 32 straight meetings with City, backing him to score anytime is a solid pick.
Manchester City vs Newcastle United - Erling Haaland Anytime Scorer @ 1.75Anthony Gordon 1+ Shots on Target @ 1.47
Another player worth backing is Anthony Gordon, who will be heavily involved in Newcastle’s attacks and is in too good form to ignore here.
With 13 goal contributions in his last 16 games, he’s a constant goal threat and should at least test City’s goalkeeper once.
Manchester City vs Newcastle United - Anthony Gordon 1+ Shots on Target @ 1.47For even more value and a higher payout, you can combine all three picks using Betano’s bet builder feature – Man City Win or Draw & Both Teams to Score + Erling Haaland Anytime Scorer + Anthony Gordon 1+ Shots on Target – for a solid 5.40 odds.
Manchester City vs Newcastle United - Bet Builder: Man City Win or Draw & Both Teams to Score + Erling Haaland Anytime Scorer + Anthony Gordon 1+ Shots on Target @ 5.40Possible Lineups:
- Manchester City: Ortega (GK); Nunes, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Kovacic; Savinho, Foden, Marmoush; Haaland
- Newcastle United: Dubravka (GK); Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
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