Newcastle United fans are looking back at their draw with Manchester City and thinking it maybe was not as good a result as they thought.
While Newcastle United are planning to bounce back after their West Ham defeat, Manchester City’s winless run continued on Tuesday night.
Pep Guardiola’s side were in Champions League action against Feyenoord, throwing away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3. It was a staggering night at the Etihad Stadium, and it means that Manchester City are now six games without a win in all competitions.
They arguably stopped the rot on Tuesday night too, as their previous five games had ended in defeat.
It is incredible to see Manchester City endure a run like this, and it is a run of form that could potentially give Newcastle United a helping hand in 2025.
Manchester City’s Champions League problem
The format of the Champions League has changed this season, with 36 teams competing in one big league. Each side plays eight games each, and the top eight will automatically advance to the round of 16.
The teams that finish from ninth to 24th will then compete in a two-legged playoff in February to advance to the round of 16.
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Manchester City could be competing in a playoff game. They are 17th after their draw with Feyenoord, having also dropped points to Sporting CP and Inter Milan.
And if they do end up in the playoffs, Newcastle United will be very interested.
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester City and Feyen...
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Champions League playoff could help Newcastle United
That is because the Champions League playoff games are set to take place on the 11th or 12th of February and then the 18th and 19th of February.
In between those fixtures is Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.
Those potential fixtures could help Newcastle, as they would certainly be a major distraction for Guardiola’s side. He could even rest players against the Magpies for that crucial second leg tie just a few days later.
That would give Newcastle United a helping hand in February, at a ground where their record is terrible. Incredibly, Newcastle United have never won a Premier League game at the Etihad.
Newcastle will hope to change that in February, and a possible Champions League playoff for Man City could increase the chance of Eddie Howe getting the result he craves.
Of course, it will all depend on where Man City finish in the league stage of the Champions League. With three games to go, they have a lot of work to do to automatically advance to the round of 16.