Man City were involved in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Arsenal in their latest Premier League contest and a second-string Citizens unit got the better of Watford in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
Newcastle will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Fulham in the most recent top-flight clash and the Magpies have enjoyed a clear week after their midweek cup tie with Wimbledon was called off.
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Newcastle vs Man Utd betting tips
Over 3.5 goals @ 6/5
Ilkay Gundogan +1 shots on target @ 3/4
Go for goals in comfortable City success
Man City are fancied to dominate Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday and backing over 3.5 goals looks the best way to side with a comfortable City success.
The Citizens had to battle to secure a last-gasp 2-2 draw against a ten man Arsenal side in their latest Premier League contest, but the Gunners are a top-level team and Newcastle have looked anything but in their early top-flight exchanges.
The Magpies were crushed 3-1 at Fulham last time out and, while they have recorded victories over Tottenham, Southampton and Wolves, those successes haven’t been convincing.
Eddie Howe’s side have been single-goal margin winners in all of their three Premier League wins this season and it’s only six victories in their last 12 top-flight matches at St James’ Park.
City have beaten Ipswich 4-1 this season, they hammered West Ham 3-1 and for all that Newcastle have a reputation of being a strong side on their own patch, that hasn’t been born out by results.
The Citizens rested the bulk of their first-team squad for the midweek EFL Cup tie with Watford, so there is little fear of fatigue and Pep Guardiola’s men were 3-2 winners on their last visit to Tyneside.
There have been 49 goals in Newcastle’s last 12 home matches and the trend for goals in the north east looks set to continue when City come to town.
Gundogan can fill midfield void
The Citizens have collected injuries in the early part of the Premier League campaign and Rodri is set for an extended spell on the sidelines. Fellow midfielder Kevin de Bruyne also looks likely to miss the trip to St James’ Park and that could give Ilkay Gundogan a chance to fill the midfield void.
The German has made only two top-flight starts this season, but he has registered four shots on goal, in games against Brentford and Arsenal and the 33-year-old came mighty close to scoring against the Gunners.
Neither of Gundogan’s efforts against Arsenal hit the target, but one shot went narrowly wide and the other struck the post.
The German may get license to move forward in the absence of De Bruyne and backing the City midfielder to have at least one shot on target looks a decent option on Saturday.
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