Two sides yet to concede meet on Sunday as the Premier League champions Manchester City travel to face Newcastle United.
Newcastle United were perhaps fortunate to earn a 0-0 draw away at Brighton last Saturday, with keeper Nick Pope man of the match.
Adam Lallana missed a couple of glorious chances, however Newcastle have four points from two games and are well placed for a top half push.
Manchester City eased to a 4-0 win over newly promoted Bournemouth, the only surprise was Erling Haaland’s lack of involvement.
Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden all scored first half goals, before a Jefferson Lerma own goal completed the route.
2021-22 Premier League: Newcastle United 11th, Manchester City 1st
2021-22 Premier League top scorers
Newcastle United – Callum Wilson 8 goals
Manchester City – Kevin de Bruyne 15 goals
Match history
Manchester City have a superb recent record against Newcastle, winning the last five meetings between the two teams.
The two victories last season produced an aggregate 9-0 success, which included a comfortable 4-0 away win.
Last five Premier League meetings
Manchester City 5 Newcastle United 0 – 08/05/22
Newcastle United 0 Manchester City 4 – 19/12/21
Newcastle United 3 Manchester City 4 – 14/05/21
Manchester City 2 Newcastle United 0 – 26/12/20
Manchester City 5 Newcastle United 0 – 08/07/20
Team news
Matt Targett missed the draw with Brighton through injury, the only change from their opening day success over Nottingham Forest.
His return would likely be the only alteration here with Eddie Howe likely to continue with the bulk of the side that has started well.
There will be a few starting dilemmas for Pep Guardiola going into this one, the main one whether John Stones replaces Nathan Ake in defence.
Bernardo Silva has been a substitute in their opening two and may well continue there, whilst Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish will battle it out for the final spot in the front three.
Expected starting XI’s
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Botman, Schar, Burn; Guimaraes, Joelinton, Willock; Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin
Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden
Predictions
Result: Manchester City
Five wins in a row against Newcastle and they have started the new campaign so seamlessly
Correct Score: 0-2
Unlikely to be a romp given how much Newcastle have improved under Howe, but another clean sheet for City is probable
Anytime Goalscorer: Erling Haaland
His game appears to suit the away fixtures better when sides open up more and if there is any space in behind, then back the Norwegian international to score
