Manchester City vs. Newcastle United – English Premier League Preview
Barclays Premier League leaders, Manchester City, will welcome the third placed Newcastle United to Etihad Stadium, as the only unbeaten teams in the league lock horns on Saturday, November 19, 2011.
Manchester City to end Newcastle United’s unbeaten run
Manchester City and Newcastle United both had outstanding starts to the ongoing 2011/12 Barclays Premier League season and are still undefeated in the competition.
Roberto Mancini’s men have been very impressive since the start of the campaign as they have won 10 and drawn only one match so far. The Blues have experienced only one defeat in all competitions, which came against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.
Newcastle United have been in a spectacular form, too, as they have won seven and drawn only four matches. The Magpies have an amazing defensive record in the current season, having conceded only eight goals in 11 matches.
The Etihad Stadium showdown will witness the best attack taking on the best defence of the league, and Manchester City are favourites to bring the high flying Newcastle United back to earth by marking a comfortable win.
Team News
Manchester City
A number of Citizens featured in the recent international matches, and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mancini-c23323 is expected to be without the services of some key members of his first team squad.
Key striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-c33030 Aguero is doubtful for the upcoming fixture, though, the Argentinean international will undergo a late fitness test for his groin injury.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360 has been ruled out of the next match as the French midfielder has been diagnosed with a knee injury and is expected to be out of action for some time.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Owen-Hargreaves-c28918 has been declared fit after a minor calf problem, however, the former United midfielder is expected to be dropped from the match-day squad due to poor match fitness.
Manchester City will welcome Vincent Kompany to the squad as he has served out his suspension.
Newcastle United
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alan-c4244 Pardew is facing his biggest injury crisis of the ongoing Barclays Premier League season ahead of the tough tie at Etihad Stadium.
The Magpies will be without the midfielder, Cheik Tiote, who is suffering from a medial ligament injury and is expected to be out action for a few weeks.
Moreover, midfielder Yohan Cabaye is also doubtful for the outing as the Frenchman is still struggling with a groin injury.
The Magpies’ summer signing, Marveaux, has been ruled for few months after the French winger underwent a groin surgery.
Leon Best (groin) and Gabriel Obertan (infected toe) are also expected to miss the trip to Manchester.
However, Shola Ameobi has been declared fit to play the next match after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Possible Line-ups
Manchester City:
Starting XI: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mario-Balotelli-c23937.
Substitutions: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Stefan-Savic-c34022.
Newcastle United:
Starting XI- Tim Krul, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Demba-Ba-c10812, Shoala Ameobi.
Substitutions:
Rob Elliot, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dan-Gosling-c9845, Sammy Ameobi, Peter Lovenkrands
Prediction:
Manchester City are in a fine form and will be clear favourites to emerge victors against the high flying Newcastle United. The final score-line will be 2-0 in favour of Roberto Mancini’s men.
Tags: