Newcastle vs Manchester City predictions: Rodri set to run the show on Tyneside
- Manchester City's record in 2023-24 when Rodri starts is P23, W18 D5, L0
- City have scored 2+ goals in 14 of the 16 league games the Spaniard has started
- Recommended Bet: Manchester City to win & Over 1.5 goals
Newcastle will look to arrest an alarming Premier League slump when they host Manchester City in Saturday's teatime fixture.
The injury-hit Magpies have lost five of their last six league games, but boss Eddie Howe hopes last weekend's 3-0 FA Cup win over Sunderland provides a fresh turning point.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola takes his side to St James' Park on the back of five straight victories and should soon be able to restore both Kevin De Bruyne.
However, while all eye will be on the Belgian maestro, it might be one of his midfield colleagues, Rodri, whose performance dictates the game.
Team news
Joelinton has been ruled out for six weeks after sustaining a tendon injury in his quad during the Magpies' win at the Stadium of Light last weekend.
Already without the injured Joe Willock and Elliott Anderson, Howe's midfield almost picks itself now, with only Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley currently available.
As for City, Guardiola could resist the temptation to bring De Bruyne, who looked good in his late cameo role against Huddersfield Town last weekend, back into the starting XI.
Erling Haaland has stepped up his recovery but will again be absent due to a fracture in his foot.
Winger Jeremy Doku and defender Manuel Akanji are doubts after picking up knocks last weekend, while Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips could return after illness.
But John Stones is almost certain to miss out again because of an ankle problem.
The stats
Newcastle, who lost their last home game to Nottingham Forest, have never suffered consecutive defeats at St James' Park under Howe.
However, City have lost just one of their last 32 Premier League meetings with Newcastle — the opponent that they have beaten more times (30), scored more goals (98) against and kept more clean sheets (22) against than any other Premier League side.
But the Citizens had to come back from 3-1 down to claim a draw on their last Premier League trip to the North East and were beaten 1-0 on Tyneside in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
City star Phil Foden, who has created the most open-play chances in the Premier League (nine) since Christmas, has had a hand in seven goals in his past 10 Premier League appearances for City (four goals, three assists).
Prediction
City have not been as slick as usual on their last two trips to Tyneside, but on each occasion, they faced a much stronger and more confident Magpies side than the one they will meet on Saturday.
Guardiola is getting his big guns back in time for an assault on three fronts again and victory has generally been the outcome when star turn Rodri has been available to police the midfield.
Without Joelinton by his side, it will come down to Guimaraes to stop the Spaniard from running the game and it may be too much to ask of the Brazilian.
City's goal production generally goes up when Rodri plays too and, after rattling in four at Chelsea, two at Luton and three at Everton in recent away trips, the champions can be trusted to score at least twice in another routine road win.
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