Manchester City will look to close the gap on Liverpool in the Premier League name race when they take on Newcastle this weekend.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won their last two games after an incident that caused them to lose their rhythm at the end of last year.
City are now five points adrift of the most sensible in the table, but they have a game in hand, and a win here puts pressure on their rivals again.
They face Eddie Howe’s men who have lost five of their last six and their last three in a row with injuries decimating the Magpies squad.
Manchester City have experienced more inconsistency than ever in the Premier League this season and that’s because of the goals conceded.
The Citizens have conceded the first goal in six of their last eight away games and lost three.
And that has made them lose the speed marked by Liverpool in the most sensitive area of the table.
They have conceded a first goal in their last two away games, but have controlled things in both cases.
This resilience has allowed them to achieve effects and they will try to do so again this time if they concede early.
If they manage to come back, City will be only the third team to do so in three consecutive games, joining Leeds and Tottenham in the record books.
Erling Haaland could make his return to action for Man City at St James’ Park.
The striker has been sidelined for a month with a foot injury but after returning to training, he is back in contention to feature.
Haaland is likely to follow in the footsteps of Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, who returned to the FA Cup against Huddersfield.
They are expected to play a role this weekend, but John Stones is absent and Manuel Akanji is questionable after picking up a knock.
As for Newcastle, they continue to work with a team due to primary injury issues.
Joelinton takes a slight knock but will most likely have compatibility, while Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson and Joe Willock return this month.
Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Elliot Anderson and Javier Manquillo remain sidelined long-term.
De Bruyne made his comeback against Huddersfield and his return will now provide a huge boost for City in their Premier League title challenge.
Even the City team know how vital it is to get their main scorer back in shape.
Phil Foden told the club’s website: “Everyone was buzzing to have him back.
“If we’re going to win anything, we need him at it. He’s one of the best players in the world, no one can do what he does.
“You might see the stadium roar when he came in and it shows how big he is for us. Seeing him back on the field also gives us a little bit of flavor. “
“I’m very happy that he’s back and that he’s injury-free because we want him. “
This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, January 13.
Kick-off at St. James’ Park is scheduled for 5:30 p. m.
The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports.
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