Belgian international returned to action as a substitute against Huddersfield
Newcastle United vs Manchester City
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 5.30pm, Saturday 13th January 2024
Venue: St James Park, Newcastle
Referee: Chris Kavanagh Assistants: S Bennett, N Davies Fourth Official: T Robinson VAR: P Banks
Odds: Newcastle 4/1, Draw 10/3, City 4/7
Tickets: Sold out
TV: TNT Sports
Newcastle United
Manager: Eddie Howe
Squad (from): Dubravka, Karius, Gillespie, Trippier, Dummett, Botman, Schar, Lascelles, Krafth, Hall, Livramento, Burn, Ritchie, Murphy, Almiron, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Miley, Gordon, Isak
Injured: Pope, Joelinton, Willock, Anderson, Barnes, Targett, Wilson, Manquillo
Doubtful: Murphy
Suspended: Tonali
Form guide: WLLLD
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Akanji, Lewis, Phillips, Kovacic, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Gomez, Nunes, Foden, Bobb, Doku, Alvarez
Injured: Stones, Haaland
Doubtful: Akanji, Grealish
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWWWW
John Stones and Erling Haaland have been ruled out of City's trip to St James Park, but Pep Guardiola hinted that Kevin De Bruyne could start after his substitute appearance in the FA Cup on Sunday.
"I saw him yesterday and he feels good and dynamic," he said at Friday's press conference.
"He played good, better than the sessions before Huddersfield.
"It was five months, he was high and low in training as he recovered which was normal but he's getting better.
"He had a few days off then trained, then we have warm weather training in Abu Dhabi which helps him prepare."
Newcastle have struggled in the league recently, but enjoyed a morale boosting vistory against local rivals Sunderland last weekend and Guardiola is expecting a difficult game.
"Always has been [tough opponents] especially since Eddie Howe took over," he said.
"The opponent is there.
"We’ve faced him many times with Bournemouth and Newcastle. We have a good history together."
City lost their last game at St James Park 1-0, with Aleksandar Isak scoring he winner for the hosts. Overall City have won 76 of the 190 games played against the Magpies, with 41 draws and 73 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, Bernardo, Foden, Doku, Alvarez
Score prediction: Newcastle 2 City 2