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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Jack Flintham

Haaland and Grealish return - Man City predicted line-up vs Newcastle United

Manchester City return to action in the Premier League on Saturday when they host Newcastle United in the lunchtime kick-off.

Pep Guardiola's side head into the match following a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bristol City in the FA Cup fifth round. Phil Foden netted a brace while Kevin De Bruyne scored a screamer as the Blues secured their passage to the quarter-finals.

On Friday, Guardiola confirmed that absent duo John Stones and Aymeric Laporte are back in contention to start. With that in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at how City are likely to line-up this weekend to take on Eddie Howe's men.

The match will be shown on BT Sport.

ALSO READ: Guardiola has only one question on Kompany return

Goalkeeper - Ederson

The Brazilian was called upon to replace Stefan Ortega on Tuesday night during the FA Cup win. Guardiola would have preferred to give him a further rest after plenty of scrutiny but you would expect him to start this weekend.

Defenders - Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake

Guardiola may be adamant that City play with a back four at all times but his recent team selections have suggested otherwise. Henceforth, we have decided to stick with the three centre-backs which started at Ashton Gate.

Stones and Laporte may be fit again but it seems unlikely that they will be thrown straight back into the team, especially for such a difficult fixture.

Defensive midfielders - Rico Lewis, Rodri

Expect Lewis to continue to fulfill his two roles that we have become accustomed to seeing him take up. In the offensive scenarios, you would expect him to be in midfield before dropping to right-back when needed defensively.

Kalvin Phillips did well against the Robins but it seems highly unlikely that he will keep his place over Rodri. Guardiola has already made it clear how important the Spaniard is to City's play.

Attacking midfielders - Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Julian Alvarez, Jack Grealish

Foden's recent form has established himself again as an undroppable which leads to a difficult choice between Grealish and Riyad Mahrez. City's £100m man is enjoying his best form since arriving at the Etihad and that is what gives him the edge over the Blues' Algerian.

Alvarez has enjoyed success while playing just behind the central striker and you would imagine he will take up that role again. Meanwhile, De Bruyne was back to his best in the FA Cup following illness and thus cannot be dropped.

Manchester City's predicted XI to face Newcastle United (Pick the Team)

Striker - Erling Haaland

A much-needed rest in midweek should mean he is raring to go against Newcastle. There's been plenty of talk has surrounded his agent's comments but Haaland will be ready to do his talking on the pitch.

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