Newcastle will be hoping to derail the Manchester City juggernaut when the Premier League champions roll into St James’ Park on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s charges – who are targeting a third English Premier League title in a row — have settled into the groove early on and they have shown why they have been an immovable force over the past few seasons. Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s side have started this campaign strongly, picking up four points from their opening two games, and they currently occupy fifth spot in the table.
However, there are a few eye-watering stats that are worth bearing in mind ahead of this clash:
- Guardiola has won all 10 of his meetings with Howe – it’s the best 100% win record one manager has had against another in the competition’s history.
- Newcastle and City are the only two teams in the EPL this term that have yet to be breached defensively.
- City have scored four goals or more in each of their past three meetings with Newcastle.
- The Magpies have won just one of their past 29 clashes against City (D4, L24)
This is a storied Premier League clash and one which always makes for compelling viewing. US online betting sites will be rushing to provide odds for this game. And ahead of the latest installment of this fixture, we have scoured the markets and handpicked a few tips for you to line your betting slips with.
Manchester City to shut up shop
So far this season, City have been resplendent, and while it’s early stages, you can’t help but admire what they are doing. Last weekend, they swept aside Bournemouth with consummate ease, even though they tried to be compact in a 5-4-1 formation. City amassed 19 shots and they looked like they would score every time going forward. Under Guardiola, they have learned to tighten up defensively and in their past few clashes with Newcastle, the Magpies have barely been able to lay a glove on them.
In the past, the main focus for Newcastle has been damage limitation. Under Howe, they have made massive strides, but City could be a bridge too far. If you are swayed by the match winner market, then you can get a tempting price of +135 with BetMGM for City to win to nil.
Kevin De Bruyne to hit the target
Kevin De Bruyne has been a leading light for City among a galaxy of stars, and he has been strutting his stuff once again this term. The Belgian metronome knows how to grab games by the scruff of the neck and he can seamlessly orchestrate attacks with his passing range. In 30 EPL appearances last term, De Bruyne netted 15 times and supplied eight assists, and he is already up and running this season.
His finishing has improved immeasurably, and he was brilliant against Bournemouth, scoring with a sublime strike. Against Newcastle, De Bruyne could have a few chances fall his way and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him hit the target. If you fancy De Bruyne to net against Newcastle, then he’s available at +230 with SugarHouse to do so.
Erling Haaland to provide a helping hand
While Erling Haaland popped up with a double in City’s EPL opener against West Ham, the Norwegian was surprisingly subdued against Bournemouth. It is almost alarming when City rattles home four goals, and Haaland doesn’t score. But then again, Haaland is more than the sum of his parts and he contributes in many other ways.
Against Bournemouth, he laid on an assist for Ilkay Gundogan, and he could provide a helping hand against Newcastle. Haaland is currently trading at +350 with SugarHouse to provide an assist against Newcastle which could be worth exploring further.
