But despite his side's recent struggles in the Premier League, the Magpies boss has opted to stick with his usual 4-3-3 formation for the visit of Pep Guardiola's side.
Howe has changed both his full-backs for today's teatime kick-off, with Lewis Hall coming into the side for only his second league start of the season and Tino Livramento returning to make his first start since late September.
Hall replaces Dan Burn, who is suspended after his sending off against Brentford, with Livramento coming in for Kieran Trippier, who is not in the squad.
Howe has also made a change at centre-half, with Fabian Schar preferred to Sven Botman. Schar will play alongside Malick Thiaw at the heart of the back four.
Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton are reunited in Newcastle's three-man midfield, but Anthony Gordon's hip issue has prevented him from returning to the starting side.
Instead, Harvey Barnes will start on the left flank, with Jacob Murphy on the right and Nick Woltemade continuing as the central striker.
Guardiola has named an unchanged Manchester City line-up, sticking with the side that beat Liverpool 3-0 last time out.
NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Thiaw, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes.
Subs: Ramsdale, Ruddy, Botman, Elanga, Willock, A Murphy, Ramsey, Neave, Miley.
MAN CITY (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Silva, Gonzalez, Foden; Cherki, Haaland, Doku.
Subs: Trafford, Khusanov, Stones, Ait-Nouri, Ake, Reijnders, Bobb, Savinho, Marmoush.