Man City predicted XI to face Newcastle - three changes expected from Bournemouth win

Manchester City will aim to continue their impressive start to the Premier League season when they face Newcastle United on Sunday (4:30pm kick-off).

The champions have won both of their opening games of the new campaign- against West Ham United and Bournemouth - and Pep Guardiola will hope to extend his winning streak against Magpies boss Eddie Howe.

The Catalan has won all 10 matches against the former Bournemouth manager, including a double over Newcastle last season.

Despite that, the side from the North-East have started the new season well and have picked up four points from their opening two games, while they’re yet to concede a goal.

That record will be tested when City head to St James’ Park, especially with a certain Erling Haaland looking to add to two goals he’s already managed in the English top flight.

How will City line-up?

Aymeric Laporte is the only known long-term absentee from the team, although Guardiola gave a vague update on Friday regarding who else might be out.

“There are some niggles with some [other] players, but the rest are okay,” he told the media, before confirming Kalvin Phillips and Cole Palmer should be available after missing last weekend’s 4-0 victory over Bournemouth due to knocks. “Cole is back, Kalvin is back, yeah,” Guardiola said.

The pre-match comments make guessing who will start on Sunday difficult, but assuming he’s fit, Ederson will almost certainly play.

In defence, John Stones might be handed a start after he played his first minutes of the season last week at the Etihad. It’s a toss up between the England international and Nathan Ake at centre-back, with Ruben Dias likely to either player.

At full-back, new signing Sergio Gomez could be handed a City debut at St James’, although Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo should retain their starting positions.

This week has seen speculation on Bernardo Silva’s future cool, although the midfielder hasn’t started a league game this season. There’s every chance he’ll replace Ilkay Gundogan in the centre of the park this weekend, while Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne are among Guardiola’s most trusted players and will likely start.

The former Barcelona manager has rotated up front in the early weeks of the campaign and has selected two of Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez, either side of Haaland.

With Foden playing from the off against West Ham and Bournemouth, he could make way for the journey to Newcastle, while Julian Alvarez is another option.

Manchester City predicted XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo; Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.