Manchester City v Newcastle predicted starting XIs: Haaland, Wissa & Botman among injury doubtsplaceholder image
Manchester City v Newcastle predicted starting XIs: Haaland, Wissa & Botman among injury doubts | Getty Images
The latest team news and injury updates ahead of Manchester City v Newcastle United in the Premier League.
The Premier League’s leading goalscorer, Erling Haaland, is a doubt for the hosts while Yoane Wissa, Sven Botman and impressive youngster Lewis Miley are among the players who could miss out for Eddie Howe’s side as they look to build up a head of steam in their own quest for European qualification. With kick-off fast approaching, we’ve taken a look at all the latest team news and injury updates for both sides below, and hazarded our guesses at the likely starting line-ups.
Manchester City team news and predicted line-up – will Erling Haaland play?
By far the biggest question surrounding Pep Guardiola’s team selection this weekend is whether Erling Haaland, who missed last weekend’s FA Cup match against Salford City after the Manchester City manager described him as “not 100%.”
A knee injury was reported as being the culprit, but Guardiola described it as “not a big issue” and early indications are that Haaland is likely to feature up front against Newcastle.
Other doubts for the game include wingers Jérémy Doku (calf) and Savinho (thigh), both of whom could be back in training before Saturday, and young defender Max Alleyne, whose status is unclear after he picked up a knock against Salford.
Guardiola will certainly be without both Joško Gvardiol (broken leg) and Mateo Kovačić (ankle), who are long-term absentees. For more detailed information on Manchester City’s current fitness issues and their stricken players’ expected return dates, click here.
Manchester City predicted line-up: Donnarumma; Aït-Nouri, Guéhi, Dias, Nunes; Rodri; Semenyo, O’Reilly, Foden, Cherki; Haaland.
Newcastle team news and predicted line-up – seven out or doubts
Newcastle have several injury doubts of their own, with three players considered touch-and-go ahead of kick-off, including summer signing Yoane Wissa who has missed the last two matches due to what Howe has described as a “nasty knock” sustained in training a week ago. He remains out for the weekend, according to the Magpies’ manager.
There is less certainty over the availability of Sven Botman (back), who is pushing to be involved and could be fit, according to Howe’s pre-match press conference. Midfielder Lewis Miley is still sidelined by a dead leg despite initial optimism that he could return to the fold.
Bruno Guimarães, meanwhile, is expected to miss around two months due to a hamstring injury that the Brazilian picked in the recent win over Tottenham Hotspur. Compatriot Joelinton is at least back in the squad after a recent knock.
Newcastle will also be without Tino Livramento (hamstring), Fabian Schär (ankle) and Emil Krafth (knee), who has just undergone season-ending surgery.
Newcastle United predicted line-up: Pope; Hall, Burn, Thiaw, Trippier; Tonali, Joelinton, Ramsey; Gordon, Barnes, Woltemade.
Continue Reading