Manchester City vs Newcastle Prediction: Haaland late show at the Etihad?

Manchester City’s trademark belated assault on the Premier League title continues apace as Newcastle United enter the Etihad on Saturday, February 21 (20:00, TNT Sports 1). Pep Guardiola’s perennial champions have won three of their last four league matches as they ease into the sort of form they usually hit at this point in the season.

Newcastle have found it tougher going despite their comparable riches. Eddie Howe’s men snapped a streak of three consecutive losses by beating Tottenham Hotspur last week. Read on for my Manchester City vs Newcastle predictions.

Team News

Erling Haaland should return for this one. The blonde bagsman missed the Salford City game in the FA Cup, after being hooked at half time of the Fulham win with a knock. Haaland was moving freely while in attendance at the Peninsula Stadium to see his side beat Salford 2-0. Expect him to play a part here.

City may be without Jeremy Doku. The all-action winger is being monitored ahead of a possible return, but City’s coaches have preached caution due to the recurring nature of his calf troubles.

Savinho is expected back in training this week after a quad issue, but the Newcastle game may come a tad too soon. Josko Gvardiol (broken leg) and Mateo Kovacic (Achilles) are sidelined for the foreseeable.

Eddie Howe has had a torrid time with injuries of late. Joelinton has returned and Lewis Miley’s recovery from a knock is progressing nicely. But the Magpies will have to make do without talismanic midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who is set to miss several weeks with a hamstring injury.

Joining him in the treatment room are Tino Livramento (back) and Yoanne Wissa (knock), though the latter’s issues may be minor enough for selection at the Etihad. 

Emil Krafth’s injury-hit Newcastle spell continues, with the defender absent since November due to a knee problem. Fabian Schar’s ankle injury adds to the St James’ Park defensive woes.

Football Odds

Manchester City vs Newcastle Odds

The Cityzens are big favourites as one has come to expect. 2/5 if you fancy Pep’s boys for the win. The draw is priced at 18/5 while you can back the Magpies to prevail at 11/2. 

Over 3.5 total goals is 1/1 while City are 7/4 to win to nil.

Erling Haaland to score last @ 11/5

You’ll notice the prolific Norwegian is missing from our Predicted Lineups section. While I don’t expect Haaland to start, I do think he’ll play a part as he overcomes his recent injury.

Which is why I am installing Haaland as my last goalscorer pick. The 25-year-old has bagged in his last two games, albeit one was a penalty. But 22 goals in 26 games tells the story of this most supernatural of goal-getters. Look for goal 23 here, even if it arrives late. 

Man City to win -1 handicap @ 1/1

While their customary top spot is a few points out of reach at present, City still score more goals than anyone else. Guardiola’s men have netted 54 times in 26 games, bossing the scoring charts as they chase the only first-place that matters; the Premier League top spot.

I think City will win this by enough goals to make a -1 handicap a mere formality.

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