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Match Preview
Premier
League: Newcastle United vs Manchester City
Kickoff
Time: 2023-01-14 01:30 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/CARL
RECINE
With
the commencement of the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup, most Premier
League teams are impacted by national team call-ups. However, there are only
three teams unaffected by these international competitions: Newcastle United,
Manchester City, and Burnley. Interestingly, in this particular round of the
league, Newcastle and Manchester City will face each other in a direct
encounter.
Despite
Newcastle United not being affected by national team call-ups, they are
currently facing personnel shortages and various challenges. Firstly, their
main goalkeeper, Nick Pope, and key striker, Callum Wilson, are sidelined due
to injuries. Additionally, midfielders Sean Longstaff and Joelinton have
accumulated five yellow cards each, resulting in suspensions and necessitating
reorganization in the midfield and attack. In recent matches, manager Eddie
Howe has had to rely on 17-year-old Lewis Miley from the youth team. While
Miley demonstrates strength in offense, his defensive abilities are weaker,
often requiring assistance from teammates to defend effectively. Consequently,
Newcastle have experienced a sharp increase in goals conceded. Their confidence
has been further diminished by their elimination from the Champions League and
the EFL Cup. The demanding fixture schedule has taken a toll on their
performances, with Newcastle only securing three points in the last six league
matches, falling behind even relegation-threatened teams. This decline in form
has placed Eddie Howe’s coaching position under increasing scrutiny. To defy
the odds and salvage their situation, Newcastle fielded their key players in
the FA Cup, even against lower-league opponents like Sunderland. Despite taking
a 3-goal lead, Howe made substitutions only in the 92nd minute, highlighting a
lack of trust in the reserve players. Consequently, the main players have
become physically and mentally exhausted.
Manchester
City’s victory in the Club World Cup solidified their status as the best team
of the previous season. However, they have faced challenges in the current
season due to various factors. The injuries to key players like Kevin De
Bruyne, as well as the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, have
impacted their performance over the past five months. Furthermore, players like
John Stones and Erling Haaland suffered setbacks in December, which affected
their ability to control the game and made their play more difficult.
Fortunately, Manchester City have Phil Foden, who has proven to be a versatile
and invaluable asset to the team. Foden has played in multiple positions,
including right winger, right inside forward, forward midfielder, left winger,
and even center forward, adapting to wherever he is needed. His tireless
running has helped maintain the midfield connection, despite the challenges. With
the return of De Bruyne in the FA Cup midweek, Manchester City have regained
their familiar form. De Bruyne’s presence has unlocked spaces that were
previously invisible and brought back effective team routines. His comeback
feels like Manchester City have made the strongest midfield addition in the
winter transfer window. It is expected that in the upcoming games, Foden will
have more freedom from midfield responsibilities, which will enhance Manchester
City’s offensive capabilities.
The
previous encounter between Newcastle United and Manchester City in the third
round of the EFL Cup resulted in Newcastle’s victory at home. Manchester City,
at that time, were dealing with a significant number of injuries and had to
rotate their squad accordingly. But now, Newcastle are the side who facing
their own wave of injuries, it is reasonable to assume that Manchester City
will view the upcoming match as an opportunity for revenge.
Newcastle
United’s Last 5 Games: WLLLD
24-01-06
Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle United
24-01-02
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle United
23-12-26
Newcastle United 1-3 Nottingham Forest
23-12-23
Luton Town 1-0 Newcastle United
23-12-20
Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle United (PEN 4-2)
Manchester
City’s Last 5 Games: WWWWW
24-01-07
Manchester City 5-0 Huddersfield Town
23-12-30
Manchester City 2-0 Sheffield United
23-12-28
Everton 1-3 Manchester City
23-12-23
Manchester City 4-0 Fluminense
23-12-20
Urawa Red Diamond 0-3 Manchester City
Head
To Head Record:
23-09-28
Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester City
23-08-20
Manchester City 1-0 Newcastle United
23-03-04
Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle United
22-08-21
Newcastle United 3-3 Manchester City
22-05-08
Manchester City 5-0 Newcastle United
Prediction: Manchester City to win