Preview: Newcastle United v Manchester City

Fulham’s 2-0 loss to Burnley confirms Premier League safety for the Magpies. Manchester United’s home defeat to Leicester City on Tuesday night confirmed Citizens’ fifth Premier League title in ten seasons.

As for Newcastle, another top division year is assured due to a recent uptick in their form. According to the form table for the last 6 games, Newcastle are in 5th place in the league.

We can assume that Pep Guardiola will turn a lot from now until the Champions League final to keep all players in top shape, but the momentum for the UCL final will be key for the Catalan coach.

Newcastle have a real chance of scoring a point as they proactively approach the game as the title is now fully wrapped up. Also, their record at St. James’ Park is not very good as they have only won one of their last four games at Tyneside, drawn two and lost one. (Remember the ritchie punishment)

Team news

Toon striker Callum Wilson will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury and will also miss the Euros. (Even though I think Southgate wouldn’t bring him to the euro anyway)

Newcastle United can confirm striker Callum Wilson will miss the remaining two weeks of the season after injuring his thigh in Leicester City on Friday.

Photo by Newcastle United / Newcastle United via Getty Images

Wilson joins Karl Darlow, Ryan Fraser, Isaac Hayden and Jamaal Lascelles with an injury on the sidelines. Hayden and Fraser started light training at Benton but were unable to play in this game.

This news does not bring panic to magpies loyal to Premier League status. This season’s goals have been achieved and the prolific striker can easily rest and recover for the next few months.

Fabian Schar will be out for this game as he is serving a three-game suspension for the red card he received late in the game against Arsenal.

Clark will be rushing hard for a slot after shaking off an injury problem.

For Man City, Kevin De Bruyne is a game day decision as he is plagued by a minor muscle problem and Guardiola is unlikely to risk him unless he is 100%.

John Stones will be available again after being banned from playing three games.

Formations and predicted lineups

Newcastle United will face the big teams in a 3-5-2 / 5-3-2 formation. The idea will be not to give the city’s attackers any spaces to pounce on and meet. Instead, try to push them way out and force them to play crosses that our air-strong defenses can easily handle.

Between the sticks will be our indispensable goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who made some stunning saves against Leicester last week.

In central defense, I’ll be going with Fernandez, Dummett, and Clark for two reasons: first, Clark offers that classic right and left foot combo with Fernandez, and second, Krafth offers absolutely nothing. (I just can’t see Sterling screwing Krafth nuts and making him look like a fool.) Please Brucey, make a sensible decision by playing either Clark or Manquillo in place of Krafth.

Matty Ritchie and Jacob Murphy will play in the wing-back roles. Ritchie shot some excellent crosses into the box in the last game.

In the midfield we have an improved Almiron with his Ferrari F1 engine alongside Shelvey (who worked more in the last game than in the last 5 games) and Willock.

Photo by Michael Regan / Getty Images

Newcastle United will have to keep Willock off goal to keep him past this summer. So you just can’t let this man on goal.

Up front will be the duo of Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin. More of a workhorse and presser, Joe can be a decent creator with his raid, but he’s certainly not the one who runs behind the defenses.

Prediction: Newcastle United 1-1 Manchester city

Being optimistic about Newcastle can be a killer to your health. You just can’t predict which Newcastle will show up. Still, I predict a nervous 1-1 draw with City, with Aguero scoring early and Joelinton giving Newcastle a point by scoring late in the game.

Man City have changed their approach to games this season. Now they are more concerned about being in control of the games than about destroying the opponent. You also sit back and keep the lead. With a slightly twisted line-up and Dubravka in top form, I’m predicting Newcastle for a deserved draw.