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Manchester City V’s Newcastle United.

City have a good record against Newcastle in home matches since their return to the Premiership. An exciting encounter in 2002 was decided by a Darren Huckerby goal, while last season City steamrolled past a below par Newcastle side 3 goals to nil, which ultimately cost former Geordie boss Graeme Souness his job. Probably the most important fixture between the 2 sides in recent history took place in 2004, when a struggling City side were pulled away from the relegation zone by a powerful Paolo Wanchope header that put the Blues on the road to safety.

Man City
D Beasley – Ankle – Very doubtful, unlikely to start
O Dabo – Knee – Back in light training, at least 2 weeks and a reserve match away from fitness
S Logan – Broken Leg – Back in light training, will likely be back to full fitness in a month or so.
S Jihai – Hamstring – Long term injury problems for Sun, may require another operation, will not be returning anytime soon.

Newcastle United
T Krul – Knee – Long term injury
O Martins – Hamstring – Rated doubtful but may play due to Newcastle’s injury crisis upfront.
S Ameobi – Hip – Out for the season
K Dyer – Eye – Doubtful for Saturday
S Given – Abdomen – Close to full fitness but Steve Harper looks set to continue in goal.

Andreas Isaksson is back in training after injury, however Nicky Weaver looks likely to maintain his place between the sticks for City after a run of good form. Ishmael Miller and Stephan Ireland are also back in the mix for a first team place. Changes look likely to be made upfront, with Darius Vassell getting the nod in place of the ineffective Paul Dickov. Trevor Sinclair is set to move over to the left wing to accommodate for the likely loss of Beasley. Hatem Trabelsi may get the start on the right of midfield after a good showing from the bench against Charlton last weekend.

City – 0–1 at Charlton. A very disappointing result for the Blues against a side that had only won one match all season before last weekend. A half decent performance, which was the very least expected, but ineptitude in front of goal hurt City again. A win against Newcastle is a must. City need to find a goal scorer from somewhere.

Newcastle – 0-1 Sheffield United. A terrible result against a sure fire relegation candidate, Newcastle fans staged a protest after this result, and rightly so. Newcastle lie second bottom in the Premiership at the moment and will be desperate for a win to kick start their faltering season.

City – Draw, Draw, Loss, Win, Loss – 5 points from 15

Newcastle – Loss, Loss, Loss, Draw, Loss – 1 point from 15

Opposition Star Man

Damien Duff – Tricky winger who on is day is one of the best attackers in the premiership. Should have a good battle with Micah Richards, although he may be used upfront due to Newcastle’s injury problems.

Prediction

It’s likely to be a tight game, with both sides not on the best run of form and desperately seeking a win. City’s good home form this season may be the deciding factor in a game likely to be low on quality and goals.

1-0 to City.

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