Manchester City head into this weekend’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United sitting third in the table.
The champions trail leaders Liverpool by five points and are two points behind Aston Villa, although City have a game in hand on both sides. They also head into the game on the back of five consecutive wins in all competitions, a run which includes Premier League victories over Sheffield United and Everton.
The same can’t be said for an injury-ravaged Newcastle, who have lost the last three league encounters and have dropped to ninth place. The Magpies could even end the elongated Premier League round of fixtures in the bottom half of the table.
City’s trip to Newcastle is one of just five Premier League matches this weekend, as the top flight instigate a winter break. The other half of the fixture list will be played next week.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola will be without Manuel Akanji and Erling Haaland for his trip to the North East. The latter has missed the last eight games in all competitions but is back in training and is closing in on a return. As for Akanji, he picked up a knock in last week’s FA Cup win over Huddersfield Town and the severity of the problem is not yet clear.
Guardiola is also expected to reinstate several key players for the Newcastle game, who were rested last week for the the FA Cup third-round tie, while the City boss also said Kevin De Bruyne could be available to start his first league match since the opening weekend of the season.
With that in mind, here’s how we expect City to line up for the encounter...
1. GK: Ederson
Prior to the recent win over Sheffield United, the keeper hadn't kept a clean sheet in eight league matches.
2. RB: Kyle Walker
Was handed a rare rest in the win over Huddersfield, and it was confirmed this week that he is first-choice club captain.
3. CB: Ruben Dias
One of the few defenders that is definitely available, with John Stones and Akanji out.
4. CB: Nathan Ake
Could play at the heart of defence or at left-back.