Newcastle United v Man City: Preview & latest injury news
Pep Guardiola has been speaking about Newcastle United ahead of Manchester City’s visit to St James’ Park.
Second-place Manchester City are the visitors to St James’ Park on Saturday evening as Eddie Howe’s side look to bounce back from consecutive Premier League defeats away to West Ham United and Brentford.
The Magpies took the lead in both matches but ended up losing 3-1. It leaves them 14th in the Premier League table, just two points above the relegation zone.
‘Top’ - Pep Guardiola uses one-word to describe Newcastle United
But Guardiola is refusing to read into Newcastle’s league position. The Spaniard hailed Howe’s side as a “Champions League team”, which is coincidentally a competition they have performed well in this campaign, with three wins from four putting them level on points with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Speaking ahead of the visit to St James’ Park, Guardiola said: “Top, top team. I never see the table when we analyse opponents. Top, top team. It has been one of the toughest places [to go] in the last years and they have been good games. The atmosphere... it’s a Champions League team and doing really.
“But we’re ready again for a new challenge.”
Eddie Howe’s poor record against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City
Guardiola always speaks highly of Newcastle, although he boasts an impressive record against them and their head coach Howe.
Howe has never beaten Guardiola in the Premier League with AFC Bournemouth or Newcastle, losing 14 and drawing two of his 16 encounters. His only victory came in the Carabao Cup when United ran out as 1-0 winners in September 2023.
2Is it not good? I didn't know that,” Howe said sarcastically when asked about his poor record versus Guardiola. “We've done everything against them. We've done everything. Similar to the question earlier, we've pressed them, we've dropped off them, we've played a 5 or 4. I don't think we've got anything new left to try, to be honest!
“We've been unlucky in a few games, I'd say but then you make your own luck and you have to give a lot of credit to Pep and his team. I think they've been incredibly consistent over a long period of time and that's why they've been the best. So full credit to them,
“We'll try and find a way and we'll have a new way of playing. We never do the same thing twice. We'll keep going until we try and find the answer.”
Newcastle United looking to bounce back v Manchester City
But Howe is hoping that can change this weekend as Newcastle look to kickstart their Premier League season.
Howe added: “We know Manchester City's qualities, but I get your point. I think we want a raucous St James' Park. The home support this season has been incredible. I think we've played well at home as well. We're looking forward to the match.
“We have a lot to prove to ourselves after the last couple of away games in the Premier League, which have been really disappointing. So we're desperately keen to try and put that right and get our Premier League form back on track.”
Continue Reading