Manchester City must respond strongly when they host Newcastle after the deposed champions’ latest Premier League defeat to the Saints.
Man City’s last two results perhaps tell the story of their season: Guardiola’s side tore apart Liverpool 4-0 in the new champions’ coronation game, but City then went on to lose 1-0 at Southampton.
City has racked up nine League defeats this term, and Guardiola needs to see some spirit from his side as he plots a title challenge for next season.
As for Newcastle, the Magpies are mathematically safe from relegation – and there remains a slight hope of a top-half finish if results go their way.
The Magpies were beaten 2-0 by City in the FA Cup last month, and it’s difficult to look beyond a routine win for the hosts here – and it may even be a drubbing if they fancy it.
TEAM NEWS
Gabriel Jesus may again deputize for the injured Sergio Aguero, with manager Pep Guardiola insisting the Brazilian produced “one of his best performances of this season” against Southampton.
Newcastle has several new injury issues with Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin both doubts.
Andy Carroll and Jamaal Lascelles are also potential absentees with respective groin and ankle problems.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The city has won the last 10 home league meetings and could win 11 successive home top-flight games against a single side for the first time.
Newcastle is unbeaten in the last two Premier League meetings, winning one and drawing one, having lost 15 of the previous 16 clashes.
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Manchester City
City has won its last four home Premier League matches by a 14-0 aggregate scoreline.
They have dropped 33 points this season – compared to a combined total of 30 in their previous two campaigns.
City could keep five consecutive clean sheets in Premier League home games for the first time since September 2011.
However, they have lost four of their last nine top-flight matches.
City could fail to score in consecutive Premier League games for the first time since March 2016.
Kevin de Bruyne has either scored or assisted a goal 15 times in his last 14 Premier League starts.
Newcastle United
Newcastle is on a six-match unbeaten Premier League run, winning three and drawing three – only Manchester United (nine games) are currently on a longer top-flight unbeaten run.
The Magpies could win three consecutive away Premier League matches for the first time since December 2001.
They have scored 10 goals in their last four Premier League games – their previous 10 took 14 matches.
Steve Bruce is yet to win a Premier League away match against Man City as a manager with three draws and eight losses.
With a goal in his last two matches, Miguel Almiron has matched his tally from his first 40 Premier League appearances.
PREDICTION: 4-0
