Our live stream ahead of Boxing days Premier League match, Manchester City vs Newcastle United is now up, kicking off at 20.00 GMT
You can keep an eye on the commentary as it happens below, but first, we take a preview into the fixture, lineups, predictions and much more…
Manchester City come into the game having thumped Arsenal 4-1 at the Emirates in the EFL Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.
Gabriel Jesus headed the visitors into an early lead in the third minute but Arsenal hit back against the run of play through Lacazette just after the half-hour mark.
However, the Gunners, who lost Gabriel Martinelli to injury just after half-time, were behind again in the 54th minute after goalkeeper Alex Runarsson let Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick through his hands and into the net.
Goals from Phil Forden and Aymeric Laporte rounded off proceedings for Pep Guardiola’s side, who are now 18 games without a defeat in the League Cup as they bid to win the competition for a fourth straight time.
City’s attention now turns to the Premier League as they look to get their title charge back on track heading into the New Year.
In contrast, Newcastle come into the game having been dumped out the EFL Cup by Championship side Brentford.
The Bees progressed to a first major cup semi-final in their history as they won 1-0 at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce accepted that he would be heavily criticised for the Magpies’ performance at Brentford.
However, Newcastle have only tasted defeat once in their last four Premier League outings – a run which includes victories over Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion – but the Magpies had to rely on a controversially-awarded Callum Wilson penalty to bail them out of trouble against a 10-man Fulham last weekend.
City and Newcastle last met in July, with the Citizens thrashing the Magpies 5-0…
PRESS CONFERENCE:
Pep Guardiola
COMING SOON
Steve Bruce
On Manchester City…
“It’s a difficult challenge, we’re playing one of the best teams in the world, but we’ve got to make sure that we get over the disappointment of the other night [at Brentford], roll our sleeves up and show what we’re made of.”
“This league is unforgiving, it’s very, very difficult at times, so you have to get ready for the challenge.”
“That’s the Premier League, that’s what it is, that’s what faces us.”
“We managed to get a result against them last year – and then got heavily beaten at the Ethiad – but we’re playing against one of the great teams so let’s dust ourselves down, get over what happened the other night and get ready for a huge challenge.”
“What better place to try and respond? We know how difficult it will be but we have to be ready for that challenge. We’ve had a disappointing week, we’re hugely disappointed in what’s happened the other night – hugely, and none more so than me – but here’s a wonderful opportunity.”
Player availability…
“We’ll see how he [Federico Fernandez] is. I sincerely hope so [Fernandez can play at Man City], but he was very fatigued after real soreness of his muscles and was in no fit state to play [at Brentford].
“I don’t think I’ve worked with a better pro than Fede, so for him to have the effects just goes to show that it affects different people in different ways. But yes, I hope I have at least him back because at centre bank we’ve been a little bit short.”
On Allan Saint-Maximin and Jamaal Lascelles
“There’s been a lot written and I’ll try and put the record straight.”
“They’re not ready to return until the doctors tell us.”
“Everybody’s different with the symptoms, but we expect them to be back; how long, I really can’t put a timeframe on.”
“(It will) probably be Jamaal before Allan, but we hope that we can see an improvement in both of them and they can join the squad in the next week, two weeks, maybe.”
“It’s been well documented how difficult it’s been over the last week, ten days. We’re obviously desperately short in central defensive areas, where it’s his most badly.”
“We’ll look to freshen it up. I think it’s vitally important that you do that because obviously we’ve got some big games coming up.”
FORM:
Manchester City Premier League form: LWWDDW
Manchester City form (all competitions): WWDDWW
Newcastle United Premier League form: LLWWLD
Newcastle United form (all competitions): LWWLDL
LINEUPS:
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Mendy; Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Sterling; Jesus
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Darlow; Yedlin, Hayden, Clark, Lewis; Almiron, Shelvey, Longstaff, Ritchie; Wilson, Joelinton
THATSAGOAL TIP:
Raheem Sterling Anytime Scorer – 5/6 with FanTeam
Sterling was the scorer of the only goal of the game as Manchester City defeated Southampton last time out. The English forward hasn’t been on top form in front of goal this season but two goals this month may have helped his confidence.
City are expected to brush aside an overly negative Newcastle side at the Etihad. The fact Newcastle are likely to sit deep boosts Sterling’s chances of finding the back of the net with a trademark well-timed run into the six-yard box for an easy tap in.
Time to take a look at our Manchester City vs Newcastle live match stream as it happens…
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