Newcastle United latest news: Pep Guardiola has provided a major update on his squad ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Newcastle United in the Premier League.
For the fourth time this season, Manchester City and Newcastle United will lock horns when the Magpies make the trip to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Eddie Howe’s side could complete a first ever Premier League double over the Citizens this weekend after their 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture at St James’ Park back in November.
However, to do that, they will have to do something that no other Newcastle United team has done in history - win a Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium. The Magpies have already tasted defeat away against City this season, going down 3-1 in the second-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final there earlier this month.
Goals from Tijani Reijnders and a brace from Omar Marmoush, who also scored a first-half hat-trick in this fixture last season, ensured that Pep Guardiola’s side raced into a three-goal lead and destroyed any hope of a remarkable comeback from the visitors. Haaland, meanwhile, was a second half substitute that day but failed to grab himself a goal.
In truth, the Norwegian international doesn’t have a very good record against Newcastle United during his time in the Premier League. In his nine appearances for City against the Magpies, he has scored just one goal - and that came way back on his first appearance at St James’ Park, and just his third Premier League start as a City player, way back in August 2022.
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Haaland, though, will have the chance to change that record this weekend despite doubts over his fitness levels. The former Borussia Dortmund man wasn’t named in Guardiola’s matchday squad last week amid a gruelling fixture schedule, but is expected to feature for the Citizens on Saturday night.
Manchester City injury news v Newcastle United
Elsewhere, Guardiola has a number of other injury concerns to deal with this weekend. He will certainly be without both Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic with both players facing a race against time to return to action not only this season, but also with enough time to prove their fitness ahead of representing Croatia at this summer’s World Cup.
Young defender Max Alleyne, who was recalled by City from a loan spell at Watford during the January transfer window due to an injury crisis affecting Guardiola’s defensive options, is regarded as a doubt to feature this weekend after picking up a knock during their win over Salford City in the FA Cup last weekend. Marc Guehi, who was ineligible to feature in the Carabao Cup meeting between the sides earlier this month, will be available to play this weekend against the side he was heavily-linked with joining less than two years ago.
Jeremy Doku has also been ruled not fit enough to feature this weekend against the Magpies. Savinho, though, will be able to feature. Guardiola confirmed that the winger, who has been absent since the turn of the year, will be in contention to play on Saturday night.
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