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Manchester City will look to continue their brilliant recent form by getting the better of a struggling Newcastle United at St James’ Park this weekend.
Man City may have had a wobble towards the end of 2023 but they are back in their flow now and can move within two points of Liverpool and up to second this weekend. They are also boosted by Kevin De Bruyne being back in the fray, while Erling Haaland is also back in full training.
Understandably, there will be some changes from the FA Cup win over Huddersfield at the weekend. Manuel Akanji won’t be back from his injury for this one, but other players like Bernardo Silva might recover in time.
Here is the starting lineup Pep Guardiola may choose when Man City visit Newcastle in the Premier League.
GK: Ederson – The Brazilian goalkeeper will return to the starting lineup after sitting out the FA Cup win against Huddersfield.
RB: Kyle Walker – It was Manuel Akanji who started here against Huddersfield and even though he is now injured, Walker was always expected to come back in at right-back.
CB: Ruben Dias – He played 90 minutes at the weekend but is integral to the way Man City play and can cope with being used regularly. He is even more likely to start with Akanji out.
CB: Nathan Ake – Again, with Akanji out and John Stones also injured, it would be a real surprise if anyone other than Ake starts alongside Dias.
LB: Josko Gvardiol – Looking for solidity against Newcastle’s talented wingers, Gvardiol should get the nod over Sergio Gomez for what could be a tough game.
CM: Rodri – Like Dias, Rodri will always be in the starting XI for a Premier League game if fit. He got a deserved rest in the FA Cup, but Rico Lewis will make way for him.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – There is a chance Matheus Nunes plays here for a bit more solidity but Guardiola seems to be favouring Kovacic in this role at the moment.
RW: Phil Foden – It has been a good season for Foden, playing mostly in a central role, but he could move back to the right with De Bruyne’s return.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne – The returning De Bruyne will get minutes against Newcastle but don’t expect him to play the full 90. Guardiola has talked about the importance of easing him back in, but there is the potential for a start here.
LW: Jack Grealish – It could be Jeremy Doku in this role after he came off the bench and scored against Huddersfield, but Grealish should get the nod on the left.
ST: Erling Haaland – Another returning star, 90 minutes may also be too much for Haaland against Newcastle but he could take Julian Alvarez’s spot from the start.
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