· 21 November 2025, 10:30
Newcastle United take on Manchester City on Saturday at St James' Park, live on Sky Sports at 5:30pm.
Now that my tiny brain has finally acknowledged that this is, in fact, a home game after believing for the last two weeks that we were away from home, my nerves have eased off somewhat.
It's still going to be a very tough game for Newcastle, especially given the fact that Erling Haaland is back scoring goals for fun, and we have Nick Pope, who can't catch a cold right now.
This is the type of game that our lads really show up for, and it's got an Anthony Gordon special written all over it ... if the England winger is fully fit.
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Newcastle united fc v manchester city fc premier league 1
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Newcastle face Man City on Saturday
Chris Sutton feels Newcastle will be a difficult opponent for Manchester City
It's a very difficult one to call, and that has been hammered home by Chris Sutton's score prediction for the BBC.
"Based on both teams' form, I should really go for a Manchester City win here, but sometimes gut instinct takes over and this is one of those occasions.
"Newcastle have struggled on the road and been flat and dismal in the away matches when they have dropped points, but things are different at home and they are capable of anything at St James' Park.
"City beat a very average Liverpool side at Etihad Stadium before the international break and how they get on here will probably be a better gauge of where they are really at.
"I know City fans have seen their team put together long winning runs to deliver so many league titles in recent seasons and maybe they think this is the start of something similar, but I don't see it that way.
"Pep Guardiola's side still have a lot to work on, and I think they will be held to a draw here. Newcastle have lacked a bit of a spark so far this season but they will be well up for this one.
"Sutton's prediction: 1-1"
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Chris Sutton and Paul Merson agree again
Once again, Chris Sutton is on the same page as Paul Merson, with both going for a 1-1 draw.
We'd certainly take it, given the contrast in form. Although Newcastle's home form is decent, we haven't actually beaten a top side yet.
There's still a bit of the jitters around this one, but not as bad as they were when I was convinced it was an away game.