Duell der Superreichen – City (noch) außer Reichweite?

Maximum half a matchday will be available to English Premier League fans this weekend. And then there are games where the starting position is more than clear. Normally, the cup competition is responsible for talking about “David against Goliath” duels. However, there are also games in the championship where there is a clear difference in class. Such a match will be played on Sunday afternoon at St. James Park, when relegation candidates Newcastle and Manchester City, current league leaders, face each other at 3:15 pm.

For the past few weeks, both teams have been playing in the top flight financially, but while the Citizens have had an outstanding squad for years, Newcastle are unlikely to be throwing their millions around until the upcoming transfer window. The only goal this season is to stay in the league. With only ten points and one win this season, the Magpies are looking back on a disastrous autumn. Accordingly, the distribution of roles is also clear and in Newcastle against Manchester City it is not worth predicting the regular victory of the visitors.

Not only does Guardiola’s side have clear advantages in terms of quality and form, but the fixture list also favours the visitors from Manchester. The Skyblues were in action on Tuesday night, celebrating a 7-0 thumping of Leeds, while the Magpies only played on Thursday. This also means that the house favourites have considerably more recovery time to show for their efforts.

Newcastle – Statistics & current form

In the north of England, they will be glad when 2021 comes to an end. After all, the autumn was anything but successful for Newcastle United and from January the newly rich club management has the chance to strengthen the squad. It will be interesting to see which overpriced players will find their way to St. James Park. The ultimate goal this season must be to stay in the league. Despite the horror of the autumn, the gap to the safety zone is only three points, so anything is still possible

Much stronger at home than away

The term “stronger” seems a little strange when there are just ten meagre points in 17 league games. However, the relegation candidates have managed to pick up seven of these ten points in their own stadium. In addition, the only win of the season came at St. James Park. Newcastle won their last home game against Burnley 1-0 thanks to a Callum Wilson goal, and if the underdogs can pull off a sensational home win on Sunday, Newcastle United would win two league home games in a row for the first time since December 2019.

Another argument is the fact that Newcastle have not lost any of their last five home games against the current champions (two wins, three draws).

The home win might be a bit of a stretch, but at least a goal win seems very likely. The Magpies offence has already scored twelve times at home and has strong attacking forces in its own ranks with Wilson, Joelinton or Saint-Maximin. In addition, Newcastle have scored no less than seven times in their last three home games against Manchester City.

Predicted Newcastle line-up:
Dubravka – Lewis, Lascelles, Schär, Manquillo – Saint-Maximin, Shelvey, Willock, Almiron – Wilson, Joelinton

Last matches played by Newcastle:

Premier League
12/16 2021 – Liverpool FC 3 – 1 Newcastle United

12/12 2021 – Leicester 4 – 0 Newcastle United

12/04 2021 – Newcastle United 1 – 0 Burnley

11/30 2021 – Newcastle United 1 – 1 Norwich

11/27 2021 – Arsenal London 2 – 0 Newcastle United

Manchester City – Statistics & current form

On Sunday, Pep Guardiola’s side could make history once again. A new club record is within reach and extremely likely given the starting position against the table’s penultimate team. In the calendar year 2021 to date, Manchester City have won 32 Premier League games. A 33rd win in a year would represent a new club record. Odds of 1.20 are not even offered for this scenario in the Newcastle vs. Manchester City duel.

Seven at one stroke

The headline fits in two senses, because during the week the reigning champions not only celebrated their seventh Premier League win in a row, but were also allowed to celebrate seven full goals. Against an inferior Leeds team, the Skyblues celebrated a real scoring festival. Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa was dismayed to discover afterwards that it did not even take a gala performance from the Citizens.

The scoring threat in recent weeks has been absolutely impressive. After scoring 20 goals in the first ten league games, Guardiola’s side needed just seven games to score the next 20 goals of the season. During this winning streak, Manchester City conceded only three goals, but they scored an average of almost three times per game. Accordingly, Newcastle vs Manchester City handicap win prediction is also a good possibility.

Statistically, a hat-trick by a City player is also likely. Against no other team in PL history has Manchester City been able to celebrate a three-goal scorer more often. In total, this was achieved three times, with Spaniard Ferran Torres scoring three times in the last encounter. Due to a broken foot, he will not be able to repeat this feat. The 21-year-old Spaniard, however, is the only absentee in the Citizens’ squad. While quite a few PL teams are struggling with major personnel worries, City have been spared so far.

Predicted Manchester City line-up:
Ederson – Zinchenko, Ake, Dias, Stones – Rodri – Grealish, de Bruyne, Gündogan, Mahrez – Sterling

Last matches played by Manchester City:

Premier League
12/14 2021 – Manchester City 7 – 0 Leeds

12/11 2021 – Manchester City 1 – 0 Wolverhampton

Champions League Grp. A
12/07 2021 – RB Leipzig 2 – 1 Manchester City

Premier League
12/04 2021 – Watford 1 – 3 Manchester City

12/01 2021 – Aston Villa 1 – 2 Manchester City

Newcastle – Manchester City Direct Comparison / H2H Record

The direct comparison in this clash speaks a very different language than looking at the current table. Over the years, the Magpies and the Citizens have faced each other 184 times in the various competitions and both teams have won 72 games each. The direct comparison is even, but the teams are currently worlds apart and accordingly only odds around 1.20 are offered for the visitors between Newcastle and Manchester City. Last season, Guardiola’s side prevailed in both games, but both the home and away wins were hard-fought.

Newcastle – Manchester City Tip

Anything is possible in football and surprises are not uncommon. However, a very large portion of imagination is needed to justify a tip in the direction of the home side in the duel between Newcastle and Manchester City. In a year’s time, the situation may be different, when Newcastle have improved the team with all those millions. On the fourth Sunday of Advent 2021, however, everything speaks for the reigning champions.

It is very easy to see at Newcastle that the quality for better results is absolutely there. The team dares to play football, has good actions again and again, but lacks stability and consistency in defence. That’s why the team keeps depriving itself of the fruits of its labour. However, the strong offensive is certainly capable of challenging the guests. Therefore, the best betting option between Newcastle and Manchester City is considered to be the tip at betting odds of 2.20 on both teams to score. We set six units as the stake for this prediction.