Newcastle vs Manchester City prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2022-08-20 15:30.
Goalkeeper Nick Pope’s heroics in last Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate away to Brighton means Eddie Howe’s invigorated Newcastle United side are one of just two clubs not to have conceded a goal after two gameweeks. The Magpies will, however, have to channel every ounce of resilience if they are to record a clean sheet against the formidable Manchester City – who are incidentally the other side to possess a perfect defensive record thus far.
A statement performance against the current Premier League (PL) champions could substantiate the Magpies’ credentials for a first European appearance in a decade. Any result will be tough against their opponents, but Newcastle can take confidence in their record of scoring first at home last season – only four teams managed to score first more often – if they are to overturn a dismal recent H2H record against Pep Guardiola’s side (L5).
Manchester City recorded a comprehensive 4-0 victory against newly-promoted Bournemouth last week to go top of the table by the end of matchday two – a day which also saw fierce rivals Man United sink to the bottom, in what was the first time since 1929 that the English top-flight had seen those clubs top and bottom respectively! Guardiola claimed his tactics helped his players “express their talent more often” in that win, and whilst a trip to St James’ Park should be a trickier fixture, the last time Manchester City lost a PL game on the road was incredibly the first gameweek of last season!
The Citizens have likewise been in stellar goalscoring form on their travels, netting the opening goal in 12 of their last 19 away fixtures, with ten of those coming before half-time. Guardiola's side will therefore likely look to dominate proceedings early, on a ground which has seen under 2.5 goals in five of its last six fixtures, if they are to claim a ninth league victory in ten games.
Key battle: Centre-back Fabian Schär scored in the opening gameweek but has been booked in two of his three PL appearances against Manchester City. Attempting to capitalise on that will be Erling Haaland, who became the seventh Norwegian to net on his PL debut after his brace in City’s last away fixture.
Hot stat: There’s been over 3.5 goals in five of the last six league H2Hs.