The experts do not believe Newcastle United will extend their unbeaten Premier League run this season. Manchester City arrive at St James’ Park on Sunday as the only other top-flight side yet to concede in 2022-23.
However, to say Newcastle are underdogs would be an understatement. The Magpies have won once in their last 29 league outings against the Citizens - a disastrous run stretching back to September 2005.
Even the most optimistic Toon fan will admit this weekend’s clash is as tough as it gets. A win on Sunday will require Newcastle to be at their best, City to be at their worst and a slice of good fortune along the way.
The pundits agree, with predictions in favour of United few and far between. This is a round-up of how the experts view Sunday’s game.
Chris Sutton
Former Blackburn Rovers striker Sutton “can only see” the away side claiming a victory. Despite this, the BBC pundit expects a raucous atmosphere at St James’ Park…
Could this swing the balance in Newcastle’s favour?
“There will be a great atmosphere at St James' Park and Newcastle might create one or two chances for Callum Wilson,” Sutton said. “I can only see a Manchester City win here, though. They have not really put a foot wrong so far.
“Lots has been made of how few touches Erling Haaland had against Bournemouth, but he still made one of them count with his pass to Ilkay Gundogan for the opening goal. If the opposition are going to focus on stopping Haaland, then it is going to leave space for their other attacking players, and we already know how dangerous they are.”
Prediction: Newcastle 1-3 Man City
Paul Merson
In his SportsKeeda column, Merson expects Pep Guardiola to grind out a victory at St James’ Park. The Spanish boss’ only defeat on Tyneside came in January 2019, when Matt Ritchie bagged a winning penalty.
“Newcastle have made a solid start to the Premier League season but I don't see anything other than a Manchester City win,” Merson wrote. “Eddie Howe will look to make it hard for the Citizens with a plan to hit them on the counter-attack, but Guardiola and Co should still get all three points here to continue their perfect start to the new Premier League campaign.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Man City
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