Predicted Newcastle United line-up to face Manchester City in the Premier League
Newcastle United’s tough start to the season won’t get any easier when they travel to face champions Manchester City for this weekend’s Premier League clash. The Magpies have already faced Tottenham and Chelsea at home, losing both games by a margin of 2-1. Bearing in mind that this is be matchday four, clashing with three of the top six sides makes up for a very testing start.
Rafa Benitez would just be hoping that his defensive tactics work a treat against the best team in England. The Spaniard has issues regarding the selection of his team, and it will be interesting to see how he sets up at the Etihad.
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Jonjo Shelvey and Javier Manquillo are most certainly out for this game, while Matt Ritchie and Jamaal Lascelles will have late tests to prove their fitness. If the latter two fail their fitness examination, Benitez would have a mountain to climb in terms of setting his team up. Florian Lejeune is out for long-term and Isaac Hayden is suspended after getting a red card against Cardiff City two weeks back.
Probable Newcastle XI
Formation: 5-4-1
Manager: Rafa Benitez
Martin Dubravka (GK)
Dubravka is Newcastle’s No.1 now and should get his place back after a midweek rest.
DeAndre Yedlin (RWB)
The flying American full-back will have to be at his best if he’s to contain the Manchester City attack.
Fabian Schar (RCB)
The Swiss international has looked okay so far. He would love to improve more and fight to nail down the first-choice spot in central defence.
Federico Fernandez (CB)
The former Swansea man knows what it takes to face Manchester City. His experience might be fruitful in a game where Newcastle are expected to defend most of the time.
Ciaran Clark (LCB)
Clark has had a decent start this season. He seems determined to take Lejeune’s place, who is out on a long-term basis.
Paul Dummett (LWB)
Dummett is a defensive-minded full-back, a quality which will be needed when facing the high-flying City attackers.
Kenedy (LW)
After sitting out against Chelsea, the Brazilian is expected to take his place on the left wing.
Mohamed Diame (CM)
Onus will be on Diame to control things in the midfield as Shelvey is set to miss this game.
Ki Sung-Yueng (CM)
The new signing this summer will have to be at his utmost best to stop the likes of David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan in the midfield.
Jacob Murphy (RW)
If Matt Ritchie fails his fitness test, Murphy is a viable option for Newcastle.
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Salomon Rondon (ST)
The striker is expected to be a lonely man up top for the Magpies on Saturday. He would need to feed on scraps and make something happen.
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