John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Stefan Ortega all in contention for lunchtime showdown
Manchester City vs Newcastle United
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 12.30pm, Saturday 4th March 2023
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Simon Hooper Assistants: A Holmes, S Long Fourth Official: A Taylor VAR: M Salisbury
Odds: City 1/2, Draw 7/2, Newcastle 6/1
Tickets: Sold out
TV: BT Sport
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Laporte, Akanji, Lewis, Gomez, Phillips, Gundogan, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Palmer, Perrone, Haaland, Alvarez, Mahrez
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: WDDWW
Newcastle United
Manager: Eddie Howe
Squad (from): Dubravka, Karius, Pope, Trippier, Dummett, Botman, Schar, Lascelles, Lewis, Targett, Manquillo, Burn, Ritchie, Fraser, Murphy, Almiron, M Longstaff, Willock, Anderson, S Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Wilson, Saint-Maximin, Isak, Gordon
Injured: Fraser, Krafth
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: LLDDW
John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Stefan Ortega all trained on Friday, ahead of the early kick-off against Newcastle tomorrow. STones has been absent for a month after suffering a hamstring injury against Arsenal in the FA Cup, whilst Laporte has missed the last three matches through illness. Ortgea took a knock to his hand against Bristol City in midweek, but has also returned to training.
“They (have) trained, and they feel better – much better,” said manager Pep Guardiola at Friday's press conference.
Newcastle are currently fifth in the league, and Guardiola is anticipating a difficult challenge from Eddie Howe's side.
“From what I’ve seen lately, even the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United, they are one of the toughest opponents we have until the end of the season," said Pep.
“In terms of experience, threat, transitions, and set-pieces they are the best team in the league.
“Many, many things. That’s why they’ve been there all season.
“It happened last season and this season, they made a step forward.
“It looks like they came to stay here.”
City won their last home game against Newcastle, with goals from Raheem Sterling (2), Aymeric Laporte, Rodri and Phil Foden. Overall City have won 74 of the 187 games played against the Magpies, with 41 draws and 72 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Foden, Haaland
Score prediction: City 2 Newcastle 1