Newcastle (H) | Pre-Match Thread

[MAG]

Saturday 26th December

Manchester City v
Newcastle United

Kickoff: 8:00pm (UK)
Etihad Stadium, Manchester, UK

Live TV: BT Sport (UK)


Referee: Andre Marriner
Assistants: Scott Ledger, Richard West
Fourth official: Andy Madley
VAR: Lee Mason
Assistant VAR: Matthew Wilkes

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Premier League Stats

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Pre-Match Thoughts

Can. Not. Slip. Up. Here ... as simple as that!

For where we stand (in the league) in relation to other title contenders, can't afford falling any further behind ... and the next two games in quick succession after this are Everton and Chelsea and both are away so much tougher fixtures follow this ... if anything, this should be the one to gain some form and go for it ... after the cup progression tonight, another big win here while scoring a handful in the process would give the players the confidence needed for those big ones that follow ... win this meekly with a performance reminiscent of the league form so far with a single goal or hanging on till the end would not instil any confidence going into the busy fixtures.

The age old saying that only the next one matters, well this one truly does ... for what's gone past, and for what's to follow ...

C'mon City ...

... and Merry Christmas fellow Blues!

 

[Cityinmud]

Must win this and the next two. Very important games. Merry Christmas blues!

 

[David Silva #21]

Ederson
Walker Dias Stones Cancelo
Rodri Gundogan
Raheem Foden Bernardo
Jesus

We have to play with Everton at Goodison park only 48 hours after this game
So i would rather rest KDB in order to have a good game against Everton

3-0 city

 

[Eccles Blue]

Oh for goodness sake, Marriner! Ah well we can beat anyone. Best team in the land in all the world. But just once could we not have a reasonable, fair referee? Please.

 

[Ric]

Everton is a big game, so think we should rest a few. Risky strategy, as the West Brom game showed, but need to be pragmatic:

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Laporte/Ake
Mendy
Fernandinho
Gundogan
Foden
Sterling
Torres
Aguero

 

[Rammy Blue]

Everton is a big game, so think we should rest a few. Risky strategy, as the West Brom game showed, but need to be pragmatic:

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Laporte/Ake
Mendy
Fernandinho
Gundogan
Foden
Sterling
Torres
Aguero

Everton play same times as us, and don’t have the benefit of the quality of our squad. As usual I just don’t think you can look beyond the next game so for me it’s strongest 11 to start against the geordies and then try and get the 3 key players off after 60/70 mins when game is hopefully won.

 

[citytill1die84]

These are shit and will most probably be missing AS-Maximin who is their best player.

Must win.

Ederson

Cancelo Stones Dias Zinchenko

Gundogan Fernandinho

B.Silva Foden Sterling

Jesus

I'd honestly leave Walker, KDB & Aguero for Everton & Chelsea.

Come on City 3-0

 

[ninjamonkey]

They are quite adept at playing without the ball and defending with everything in front of them. This will not be an easy game. However I would leave kdb on the bench along with dias cancelo, jesus and Fernandinho with Everton in mind. Sterling shouldn't be anywhere near the team right now.

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Laporte
Mendy
Gundogan
Bernardo
Foden
Torres
Mahrez
Aguero

Subs: steffen, cancelo, ake, dias, zinchenko, Fernandinho, kdb, sterling, jesus.

 

[chaddblue]

They’ll be on a downer after tonight. Can’t see elephant man having it in him to pick them up

should smash them even if we rest a few key players

 

[Sprayleej3]

Think Pep is going to want to avoid another west brom. I think we’ll see a more forward thinking team. Go for the kill early then rest for Everton.

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Dias
Mendy
Gundogan
Bernardo
De Bruyne
Sterling
Foden
Jesus