Manchester City take on Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in a huge game in the Premier League title race.
City know that victory over the Magpies will keep them level in the competition and just two points behind leaders Arsenal, who face arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
advertise
Arsenal have picked up just two points from two games in the league since Manchester City beat Fulham 3-0 last weekend, putting Pep Guardiola’s side back in the title race.
But Newcastle will not give in easily. They have won their last three games – all away from home – and Eddie Howe’s side will be determined to win their first league game at the Etihad Stadium and their first away game against Manchester City in almost 26 years.
Here are five things to watch out for when Manchester City host the Toon Legion:
Who joins Haaland and Semenho in attack?
Erling Haaland – assuming he is fit – and Antoine Semenho appear set to start against Newcastle.
advertise
Haaland missed the last game and a half through injury, although he was pictured in training ahead of Newcastle’s visit to the Etihad Stadium.
He and Semenho both scored in City’s final Premier League game against Fulham, who was also unlucky not to score in his brief cameo against Salford City last Saturday.
Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Nico O’Reilly are likely to play in midfield, leaving an opening – possibly for a No. 10 on the right wing out of possession, according to recent systems.
Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders are the main candidates, but all three performed terribly against Salford.
advertise
If Omar Marmoush moves into the front line, Semenyo can play there, but the Egyptian also struggled against Aimee.
Savinho and Jeremy Docu may have recovered, but it remains to be seen whether they will return to the team immediately.
If I had to pick one, it would be Cherki based on his overall performance this season, but ultimately I wouldn’t mind any other name starting from there.
Newcastle fatigue
It’s been a long but successful week for Newcastle.
They started play in Birmingham on Saturday night, beating Aston Villa 3-1 to advance to the FA Cup last 16 where they will face Manchester City at St James’ Park.
advertise
Howe’s side then embark on England’s longest European away trip, traveling to Baku in Azerbaijan to face Qarabagh.
Their 6-1 victory effectively sealed their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, but their trip to the Etihad will be their toughest challenge yet.
Players will be exhausted from traveling alone, let alone playing two high-intensity games in a hostile atmosphere.
City, meanwhile, played a home game last week and had a midweek break, have advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League and will be more energetic than the Magpies heading into the Champions League.
advertise
O’Reilly continues in midfield
As mentioned above, I’d like to see O’Reilly start in midfield.
The 20-year-old broke into the first-team squad at left-back around this time last year and held on to his place at the start of the season, beating out new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Now back from the Africa Cup of Nations, Aite Nouri has regained some form after spending time with the team, meaning O’Reilly has moved into his more natural midfield position.
He has impressed with his technical and physical attributes and his ability to break into the penalty area, scoring a goal against Fulham last time out in the Premier League.
advertise
Along with Rodri and Bernardo, he formed a stable midfield trio that kept City at the top of the table.
Guehi x Dias as centre-back
Although Abdelkodil Kusanov has stepped up during Manchester City’s injury crisis, it’s clear to me that Guardiola will be paired with Ruben Dias and Marc Gheihy as his preferred centre-back partnership.
Dias has been injured since the 1-1 draw with Chelsea – a game in which Josco Gvardiol also broke his leg – but he started against Fulham and featured against Liverpool, so it can be assumed that Dias is ready and eager to feature again.
Geshe, meanwhile, has been in the spotlight since joining from Crystal Palace for £20m in January.
advertise
The England international is very comfortable on the ball and is good at winning the ball ahead of attacking players, even scoring his first goal for the club against Salford last week.
Kusanov offers pace that neither Dias nor Guerhy can offer, but I expect Guardiola to rely more on the experience, leadership and versatility provided by the Dias/Guerhi central defensive partnership.
Etihad Airways’ vibrant atmosphere?
Saturday night at 8pm is an odd kick-off time, but one that’s likely to produce a lively atmosphere.
Lunchtime games can often feel a little sleepy, and under the Etihad lights people have been preparing for the game all day, which undoubtedly makes the stadium noisier.
advertise
There are always issues with empty seats and opposition fans at home, and more and more regular Blues are giving up attending games due to poor ticketing policies and rising prices.
But Arsenal’s midweek result will certainly encourage anyone in doubt to turn up and support the team in one of the biggest games of the season so far.
