Manchester City vs Newcastle United (Premier League): Match Preview, Team News, Stats, Head to Head, How to Watch | OneFootball

The reigning English champions return to domestic competition after a midweek continental clash as they welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium.

Midweek saw Manchester City host Real Madrid in a first-leg tie of a knockout round play-off in the UEFA Champions League, looking to get the upper hand in the opening match of the two-legged affair.

Despite taking an early lead thanks to Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe levelled the match shortly after the half-time interval before the Norwegian forward would regain Manchester City’s lead in the final exchanges.

However, Manchester City would showcase their frailties and inability to hold on to leads once more as Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham flipped the match on its head and secured a dramatic 2-3 late win for Los Blancos ahead of the second-leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

City’s opponents on Saturday come into the match on a winning streak having defeated Arsenal in the second-leg of a Carabao Cup semi-final tie and Birmingham City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The match is set to have significant implications on the Premier League table, as the two sides currently sit level on points in the division, with Manchester City taking the leg up due to goal difference.

Ahead of kick-off on Saturday afternoon, as both sides will look to take advantage of Chelsea’s drubbing on the south coast to Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday night, this is everything you need to know!

Match Details

Manchester City take on Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon at the Etihad Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 (UK).

Match Officials

The Premier League have confirmed that Andy Madley will oversee proceedings between Manchester City and Newcastle United this weekend.

You can check out the full team of match officials below!

Team News

Manuel Akanji will not be part of Saturday’s match or any of Manchester City’s fixtures in the foreseeable future after suffering an abductor injury in the midweek match against Real Madrid which will require surgery this weekend.

Manager Pep Guardiola offered an explanation on the Swiss international’s recovery process during his pre-match press conference, as he said on Akanji, “He will undergo surgery on Saturday, and will be eight to 10 weeks out.”

While the versatile defender will not be a part of Saturday’s match, the same may not be said for Jack Grealish, who could feature after coming off early in the midweek. “I don’t know if he’ll be ready tomorrow,” stated Guardiola on Friday. “We’ll see and assess in the next hours.”

As for Nico Gonzalez, the Spaniard could make an appearance against the Magpies on Saturday after sitting out of Wednesday night’s match, despite training throughout the week following his injury blow against Leyton Orient last weekend.

“He arrived with a little pain especially against Madrid he was not fully fit, but day by day he is getting better,” said Pep Guardiola.

Head to Head

Manchester City have taken the upper hand in their previous three matches against Newcastle United, winning two of them and drawing their most recent match in September 2024.

Josko Gvardiol gave the visitors the lead at St James’ Park earlier this season in the first-half, before Anthony Gordon would strike from the penalty spot in the second period of time to make it 1-1 and share the points upon the full-time whistle.

Statistics

Manchester City have lost just one of their last 34 Premier League games against Newcastle (W27, D6), going down 2-1 at St James’ Park in January 2019.

Newcastle have lost their last 15 Premier League away games against Manchester City, failing to score in any of their last five. Overall, they are winless in 20 away league games against the Citizens (D2, L18) since a 1-0 win at Maine Road in September 2000.

Manchester City have won their last 15 Premier League home games against Newcastle – only three teams have had longer such winning runs against an opponent in English top-flight history: Everton against Fulham (22 from 1961 to 2018), Aston Villa against Sheffield United (16 from 1903 to 1921) and Manchester United against Luton (16 from 1955 to 2023, still ongoing).

Manchester City have scored in each of their last 32 Premier League games against Newcastle – only three teams have had a longer scoring streak against an opponent in English top-flight history: Chelsea against Newcastle (37 from 1933 to 1969), Tottenham against Newcastle (35 from 1922 to 1961) and Everton against Blackburn (34 from 1925 to 1962).

Newcastle United have won each of their last four Premier League games on the road; they last won five in succession in October 1994, the only previous time they’ve done so in the competition.

How to Watch

For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match between Manchester City and Newcastle United will not be televised due to the 3PM blackout.

Viewers in the United States can view Saturday’s match on Peacock, with kick-off slated for 10:00 a.m. EST.

You can find full global TV listings for the match here!

City Xtra will have full live coverage available on our X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram channels throughout Wednesday evening, with content also provided on cityxtra.co.uk and YouTube!