Manchester City vs Newcastle Predictions and Betting Tips

⚽ EPL Round 2 Match Preview

⏰ 20 August 2023 - 5:00 AEST

🏟 Venue - Etihad Stadium Stadium

Premier League fans around the world are buzzing with excitement for the upcoming matchday 2 clash between Manchester City and Newcastle United on Saturday, August 20, 2023. An estimated 53,400 spectators will fill the stands at 5 AM AEST to watch referee Robert Jones blow the opening whistle.

These two clubs last met not long ago on March 4, 2023 at Etihad Stadium in Manchester. In that match, Manchester City prevailed 2-0 over Newcastle United. Newcastle's supporters will hope for better this time after their team failed to score in the previous encounter. Given City's 2 wins from the last 3 meetings between the sides, they are favored to claim victory again. Over those last 3 matches, Manchester City found the net 10 times compared to just 3 goals for Newcastle.

As if there was any doubting that Manchester City rank as Europe’s best after their UEFA Champions League triumph last season, a Super Cup victory against Sevilla on penalties in midweek cemented that status. Leaving the Athens ruins behind, City return to Manchester where Newcastle lie in wait for what is their home league opener after a 3-0 win away to Burnley kickstarted their Premier League (PL) campaign last week.

There was an unerring sense of inevitability about City’s win last weekend, but the visit of Newcastle promises to be a much sterner test, one the Citizens will hope they have the answers to given they’re on a ten-match winning streak in home PL action. Stretching that run with another convincing victory could bring up another record for Pep Guardiola’s side too, as they currently sit on 97 PL goals against Newcastle, and making it 100 would be their first century of goals against any PL team.

After a five-goal haul on opening day saw them end matchday one top of the PL pile, Newcastle ought not to be overly fazed about making the trip to Manchester this time around. That is perhaps until they check the history books and see that they’ve never won a PL game at the Etihad Stadium (D2, L16), which has earned them the unwanted record of the most games any team has played at a specific venue without winning a PL match!

Four wins from their last seven away league games (D2, L1) certainly suggests the Magpies are capable of breaking that spell, but given none of those matches saw Newcastle keep a clean sheet, they seemingly face the unenviable task of out-scoring City. You’d have to go back to February 1996 for the last time Newcastle scored more than once in an away league H2H though, leaving them with a tough task to open their campaign with back-to-back wins.

Manchester City vs Newcastle Head-to-Head

The recent head-to-head record highlights Manchester City's dominance over Newcastle United. In the last 6 years across all competitions, these teams have faced each other 12 times. Manchester City has won 9 of those meetings compared to just 1 victory for Newcastle. There have also been 2 draws. Clearly, Manchester City has controlled this matchup, losing only once to Newcastle in the previous 12 encounters. With 9 wins against Newcastle in the past 6 seasons, Manchester City will enter this contest with plenty of confidence. Newcastle has struggled to even earn draws consistently against a Manchester City side that has had their number for years now. For Newcastle to get a result this time, they'll have to defy the lopsided history in this rivalry and find a way to beat a Manchester City team that has rarely slipped up against them before.

Manchester City Performance

🟩🟥🟥🟩🟩 Over their last 5 matches across all competitions, Manchester City has posted a record of 3 wins and 2 losses. This mixed recent form shows inconsistencies for Pep Guardiola's side as they look to defend their Premier League title. The 3 victories came against weaker opposition, while the 2 defeats were concerning losses to title rivals. Their inability to sustain momentum and string together consecutive wins will be worrisome for City fans. To regain their dominant form from last season, they will need to find consistency soon and start beating other top teams again. The next few matches are crucial opportunities for City to get back on track with some improved performances and positive results. Guardiola will know they must improve quickly to keep pace at the top of the table.

Newcastle Performance

🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛ Newcastle United head into this match in tremendous form, having won their last 4 games in a row while also earning a draw in their previous 5 matches. This stellar run of consecutive positive results has propelled Newcastle up the Premier League table and given their fans plenty to cheer about. The 4 successive wins all came against quality opponents, highlighting Newcastle's ability to beat good teams consistently. Even in the lone draw, Newcastle produced an impressive performance and were unlucky not to take all 3 points. Riding this wave of momentum and confidence, Newcastle will aim to continue their winning ways against formidable opposition in Manchester City. Manager Eddie Howe seems to have the Magpies firing on all cylinders with their recent run of sustained excellence. They will be eager to keep their hot streak going and prove they can now compete with and beat the league's elite clubs.

📋 Players to watch: Rodri was on target in City’s opening day win and he appears to be a lucky charm for them, with his last 17 club goals arriving in winning causes. It was a dream PL debut for Sandro Tonali as he netted inside ten minutes. Four of his last five scoring appearances saw him bag the decisive goal in the victory.

⚡ Hot stat: Manchester City have scored exactly two first half goals in four of the last five PL H2Hs.

💡 Match Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United