Newcastle v Manchester City LIVE: Team news and line-ups as Alexander Isak ruled out with injury
Newcastle host City in the weekend’s early kick-off, with Pep Guardiola’s side already top of the table by one point
Manchester City travel to Newcastle in the first game of the weekend in the Premier League, with kick-off at 12.30pm at St. James’ Park.
Pep Guardiola’s side face the Magpies in their first league match without Rodri, with the Spanish midfielder set to be ruled out for the season after picking up an ACL injury in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last week.
Eddie Howe’s team come into the game off the back of a hugely disappointing 3-1 loss to Fulham last week, and will look to spring a surprise on a City side that may still be adapting to the loss of their midfield anchor.
Recent matches between these two sides have thrown up entertaining contests, including last season’s 3-2 win for City in this fixture, and Newcastle will need to drastically improve if they are to take any points today. Follow all the latest score updates from the Premier League below.
Man City and Arsenal’s genuine hatred sparks a very different Premier League rivalry
Although Mikel Arteta attempted to quieten a lot of the noise around Sunday’s febrile Manchester City vs Arsenal match by Tuesday, some of his staff were still privately ranting about it. It was no different up north. Modern footballers are by now diligently trained to ensure their media comments bring no controversy, but that’s precisely why it was so striking that Bernardo Silva felt the license to just let loose following that 2-2 draw.
“Liverpool always faced us face to face to try and win the game,” the Portuguese said, having already pointedly mentioned how Jurgen Klopp’s side had actually won the Champions League and Premier League. Unlike this Arsenal. Through that very specific reference, Bernardo signalled how this new Premier League rivalry has also gone to a level beyond City-Liverpool. Or perhaps deeper.
There’s a rare rancour to it now very much firing the dressing rooms, in a way that arguably hasn’t been seen since Arsenal’s own great duopoly with Manchester United. City-Liverpool never quite got down to the players or managers in the same way, although there was genuine “hatred” between the clubs.
Man City and Arsenal’s genuine hatred sparks a very different Premier League rivalry
The acrimonious ending to last weekend’s draw at the Etihad leaves the title race delicately poised between two bitter rivals
Kovacic, Lewis, Stones? How Manchester City replace injured Rodri
Manchester City appear to have suffered a major blow with Rodri set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury against Arsenal.
The midfielder was substituted in the first half of the clash of Premier League rivals at the Etihad Stadium, with the club confirming that he has suffered ligament damage.
It is an injury that may render the 28-year-old unavailable for the rest of the campaign, leaving Pep Guardiola without his key midfield fulcrum.
While the Manchester City manager often rotates elsewhere, Rodri is firmly established as a vital figure at the base of midfield and rarely misses the club’s biggest games.
But an expensively-assembled squad does provide Guardiola with a number of alternative options as he looks to replace the Spaniard, including Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan and perhaps even John Stones at times.
Kovacic, Lewis, Stones? How Manchester City replace injured Rodri
The Spain midfielder could be facing an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury against Arsenal
Rodri ruled out for rest of season after Man City star undergoes surgery
Rodri has been ruled out for the remainder of the season by Pep Guardiola after the Manchester City confirmed the Spanish midfielder has successfully undergone surgery.
Rodri suffered ACL and meniscus damage to his knee in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
“He had surgery this morning,” Guardiola said. “ACL and some meniscus. So, next season he will be here. This season is over [for him].”
Team news
Pep Guardiola also makes three changes, with one forced on him after that injury to Rodri. The Spaniard is replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
Both Jeremy Doku and Savio drop out of the attack, with Bernardo Silva moving to right-wing and Jack Grealish coming in on the left. Rico Lewis also comes into midfield.
Team news
Eddie Howe has made three changes to the Newcastle side that lost 3-1 to Fulham last week.
In defence, Lewis Hall replaces Lloyd Kelly at left-back. Alexander Isak drops out of the squad due to injury, and Sandro Tonali comes in to midfield. Joe Willock is replaced by Jacob Murphy too.
Line-ups
Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Murphy, Tonali, Gordon, Barnes.
Subs: Dubravka, Krafth, Osula, Livramento, Almiron, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff, Murphy
Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Grealish, Haaland
Subs: Ortega, Carson, Stones, Doku, Savinho, Nunes, Foden, McAtee
Team news
Here’s a recap of the early team news – the line-ups will come out at around 11.15am.
Newcastle have no new injury concerns from the loss to Fulham last week, and with their Carabao Cup match against Wimbledon being postponed due to rain, the Magpies missed picking up any injuries in that competition too.
For City, the big injury news is that Rodri has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury against Arsenal.
In addition, Pep Guardiola will be without Nathan Ake until after the October international break, while Kevin de Bruyne remains a doubt.
Prediction
Despite the injury to Rodri, Newcalte’s mixed form gives City an advantage before the game even starts. City should have the quality to get yet another away win, but expect the Magpies to raise their performance level to make it a close encounter.
Newcastle 1-2 Manchester City.
Predicted line-ups
Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Murphy; Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic, Gundogan; Savio, Haaland, Foden.
Odds
Newcastle 10/3
Draw 12/5
Man City 1/2
Man City team news
For City, the big injury news is that Rodri could be ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury against Arsenal.
In addition, Pep Guardiola will be without Nathan Ake until after the October international break, while Kevin de Bruyne remains a doubt.
It remains to be seen how Guardiola will set up without Rodri, with Mateo Kovacic used against Arsenal when the Spaniard came off last week.
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