Manchester City return to action in the Premier League on Saturday when they host Newcastle United in the lunchtime kick-off.
Pep Guardiola’s side head into the match following a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bristol City in the FA Cup fifth round. Phil Foden netted a brace while Kevin De Bruyne scored a screamer as the Blues secured their passage to the quarter-finals.
On Friday, Guardiola confirmed that absent duo John Stones and Aymeric Laporte are back in contention to start. With that in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at how City are likely to line-up this weekend to take on Eddie Howe’s men.
Manchester City team news
John Stones is still a doubt for Man City after he suffered a hamstring injury against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round. He may be back in the squad here but is not expected to start the game.
Staying in defence, Aymeric Laporte has been absent for the last three games due to an illness but could make his return against Eddie Howe’s side on Saturday lunchtime.
Back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega may also return to the fold after a hand injury but he was never expected to feature regardless.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Newcastle
Man City predicted lineup (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte; Gundogan, Rodri; Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Foden; Haaland.
Newcastle team news
Newcastle are expected to be without both Matt Targett and Joe Willock for the trip to Manchester. Evaluations will be carried out on Bruno Guimaraes as he played while seemingly carrying an injury in the Carabao Cup final defeat.
Howe is glad to have both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson to choose from in attack and may look to rotate the team slightly after such a tough game against Manchester United. Nick Pope, who missed that game due to a red card against Liverpool, will come back in for Martin Dubravka.
Newcastle predicted lineup vs Manchester City
Newcastle predicted lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Saint-Maximin.
