An entertaining international break full of World Cup qualification drama and Nick Woltemade goals is finally over, allowing for Newcastle United’s return to Premier League action.
After two weeks away to reflect on that horror show at Brentford, assess what’s going wrong and get to work on the training ground, pressure is building on Eddie Howe and the players to put things right.
Our away form in the league is THE big issue and a major reason why we find ourselves 14th, but a St James’ Park response is needed against a Man City side gunning to move just one point behind Arsenal in the title race.
It’s a big test against a City side going through the gears with the almost unstoppable Erling Haaland up top. However, we have won five in a row at St James’ Park and must use this game under the lights to turn around our form and Premier League position heading into a hectic run of games to end 2025.
Speaking ahead of the game, Howe said: “It’s a really tough fixture, we know Manchester City’s qualities, but we want a raucous St James’ Park. The home support this season has been incredible, and I think we’ve played well at home too.”
“We’re looking forward to the match. We have a lot to prove to ourselves after the last couple of away games in the Premier League, which have been really disappointing. We’re desperately keen to put that right and get our Premier League form back on track.
“Regardless of results, you have something to prove every game. I want the players to respond this weekend – everyone is hurt by those two away games we had, no one more than myself. We’ve been looking deep into everything we do and planned and plotted a route ahead.”
Dan Burn will miss out through suspension and Anthony Gordon (hip) is “touch and go”. but Nick Pope, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton have all been passed fit.
Yoane Wissa (knee) is “close” to resuming full training, while Tino Livramento is “very close” and could return to the squad after stepping up his return from a knee injury that’s kept him out since our 2-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Lewis Hall is back in contention to start, although there’ll be no Will Osula, who is set to see a specialist on Monday over an ankle issue that could also keep him out of next week’s games at Marseille and Everton.
Man City have only two injury issues, with Rodri and Mateo Kovacic set to miss out for Pep Guardiola’s men.
(4-3-3): Ramsdale – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
Starting with the big change that feels obvious and nailed, we’ll surely see Lewis Hall come in at left-back. He’s been building his match fitness with England’s Under-21s over the break and Dan Burn is suspended, so this will be a welcome change to give us some balance in an area of the pitch that suffered badly in recent 3-1 defeats at Brentford and West Ham.
I then think there are three dilemmas for Howe that may be a coin toss:
- Nick Pope or Aaron Ramsdale in goal?
- Joelinton or Jacob Ramsey on the left of a midfield three?
- Anthony Gordon or Harvey Barnes on the left wing?
With Ramsdale waiting patiently for his chance, impressing in the cup and Pope not only struggling at Brentford but missing some training over the break due to concussion, I think this would be a suitable time to bring him in. However, I would not be surprised in the slightest if Howe stands by Pope.
In midfield, I’d like to see Ramsey come in, giving us that bit more technical quality and dynamism on the break, I just think Howe will opt for Joelinton in a bid to impose ourselves on what is, in areas, a fairly lightweight Man City side.
If Gordon is fit, I think he starts, but any doubts around his hip and we should play Barnes, who scored at Brentford last time out, and save Gordon for Marseille.
On the right wing, Jacob Murphy keeps his spot over an out of sorts Anthony Elanga who is crying out for confidence, and I’d expect Tino Livramento to be back on the bench after only just returning from a knee injury, meaning Kieran Trippier could be tasked with stopping Jeremy Doku.
One thing Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have often done over the past four years is respond when the pressure is on and deliver big performances when ‘big six’ sides come to St James’ Park.
Our last five at home have seen us beat Athletic Bilbao, Fulham, Spurs, Benfica and Nottingham Forest at home, while conceding only one in the process, but we must learn and improve on narrow defeats to Arsenal, Barcelona and Liverpool if we wish to shock Pep Guardiola’s title-challenging City.
The Sky Blues produced a 3-0 statement win over Liverpool in their last game, also beating Borussia Dortmund (4-1) and Bournemouth comfortably, meaning they arrive with real form and momentum, winning seven of their last eight.
That and Erling Haaland’s monstrous form in front of goal shows you the task in hand, but I back us to give them a real game, get back to that high-intensity approach that’s often been missing this season and come away with a point in an entertaining score draw.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Man City
Howay the lads!
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