Manchester City welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad stadium on boxing Day in Game Week 15 of the 2020/21 Premier League.
Manchester City have not been convincing enough this season and Pep Guardiola’s boy will want to double up efforts in order to make this season a memorable one. They lie 8 points behind leaders Liverpool and risk missing the Champions League if there indifferent form continues.
Newcastle are having a fine start to the season with no relegation fears but a top half finish hope. Steve Bruce has the team ticking with Callum Wilson heading their goal scorer chart with 8 goals to his name this season.
Team News
Manchester City recently announced that Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus have tested positive to COVID-19 which means they are unavailable for this match. However, Pep Guardiola has a good squad to call upon after resting a number of stars in the 4-1 win against Arsenal in the EFL cup.
It’s a busy period in the Premier League as Manchester City have to play 2 games in 3 days. This is where rotation and team depth comes in place.
Manchester City expected lineup:
Ederson; Zinchenko, Stones, Dias, Cancelo; Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Sterling, Gundogan, Mahrez; Foden
Newcastle are having their injury concern with Javier Manquillo, Fabian Schaer, Jamaal Lascelles, and Allan Saint-Maximin unavailable for this match. Martin Dubravka is still out injured meaning Karl Darlow will continue in goal for the Magpies.
Newcastle United expected lineup:
Karl Darlow; Jamal Lewis, Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez, DeAndre Yedlin; Fraser, Jonjo Shelvey, Jeff Hendrick, Miguel Almiron; Joelinton, Callum Wilson
Match Preview
Manchester City rotated team defeated troubled Arsenal last time out in the EFL cup which is a huge win considering the absence of Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson.
Manchester City have not been totally convincing this season but should be rejunevated with the 3 days gap they had. Pep Guardiola has the team depth and quality as shown in the win against Arsenal. The absence of Walker and Gabriel Jesus won’t pose any problem due to able replacement in the resurgent Cancelo and club Legend Kun Aguero.
This is a match Manchester City will dominate from start to finish with the only concern being getting goals.
Manchester City last 3 epl games has seen them score just 2 goals. This is a problem when you consider the teams they faced ( Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, and Manchester united ).
Manchester City currently have an average of 1.46 goals per match compared to last season average of 2.68 goals per match. It shows something is wrong somewhere which can be attributed to injuries to key man like Kevin De Bruyne and Kun Aguero.
Newcastle are not having the best of times and have just been kicked out of the EFL cup by Championship side Brentford. Steve Bruce’s side have now conceded 7 goals in their last 3 matches which is huge concern for a team eyeing top half finish. The tight match schedule seems to be the problem as Steve Bruce can’t boast of a quality team depth. This mean he will use the same set of players every day with little variation. They have played 3 matches in 7 days and that has taken a toll on the team judging by their recent results compared to the past.
Latest odds
Manchester City are heavy favourites to win at odds 1.175 on betscorum with the draw available at 8.5 and Newcastle United can claim a shock win at 20.0 odds on betscorum
Prediction
It’s giant Manchester City vs the Magpies. It’s low scoring Manchester City playing against leaky defense Newcastle United.
This is a game that look balance on paper considering both teams recent form but we mustn’t overlook Manchester City expected dominance.
Manchester City have enjoyed a much needed rest and will want to go out with all guns blazing. They had 4 different scorers in their last match against Arsenal which shows that goals can come anywhere. Newcastle leaky defense will suffer against the creativity of Kevin De Bruyne, trickery of Riyadh Mahrez, and directness of Raheem Sterling.
Newcastle are suffering from fatigue and will still suffer more from a rejunevated Manchester City side.
Over 2.5 goals at odds 1.51 on betscorum looks like a decent option.
Stake wisely and always employ bankroll management in your bets.
