Overview
- Pre-match reports project both sides to set up in a 4-3-3 for the St. James' Park meeting.
- Lewis Hall is widely predicted to start at left-back for Newcastle because Dan Burn is suspended, with Joelinton’s fitness being monitored.
- Newcastle’s tipped lineup features Nick Pope in goal, Kieran Trippier and Hall at full-back, Malick Thiaw with Sven Botman centrally, a midfield of Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, and Nick Woltemade leading the attack.
- Manchester City are forecast to make few changes, with a predicted XI of Gianluigi Donnarumma; Ruben Dias and Joško Gvardiol; Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly; Phil Foden, Nico Gonzalez and Bernardo Silva; Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki flanking Haaland.
- Context from recent results frames expectations, with Newcastle coming off a 3-1 defeat at Brentford after a 3-0 win over Liverpool, while local analysis also floats a possible Newcastle switch to a back five as a tactical curveball.