Newcastle v Manchester City: match preview

Newcastle v Manchester City: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: The Guardian

Joelinton, Miguel Almirón and Allan Saint-Maximin cost a collective £77m but have scored only one goal between them. Nevertheless Steve Bruce will keep faith with the front three as Newcastle look to reprise last season’s win at St James’ Park. “I would love them to score a goal but the threat they’ve caused at the top end of the pitch and what they contribute towards the team is the thing I look at,” Bruce said. “At times they’ve been terrific and, when they do start scoring, we’ll be fine.” City face a testing run as they aim to keep in touch with Liverpool and cannot afford to drop points. Louise Taylor

Saturday 12.30pm BT Sport 1

Venue St James’ Park

Last season Newcastle 2 Man City 1

Referee Chris Kavanagh

This season G9 Y33 R0 3.67 cards/game

Odds H 16-1 A 1-5 D 7-1

NEWCASTLE

Subs from Darlow, Manquillo, Dummett, Ki, Gayle, Carroll, Muto, M Longstaff, Atsu, Lejeune

Doubtful Schär (knee), Lejeune (knee)

Injured Yedlin (hip, unknown), Ritchie (ankle, late Jan)

Suspended None

Discipline Y21 R2

Form WLDWWL

Leading Scorer Clark, Shelvey 2

Match previews

MANCHESTER CITY

Subs from Bravo, Carson, Foden, Angeliño, Otamendi, García, Harwood-Bellis, Doyle, Cancelo, D Silva, Bernardo Silva

Doubtful None

Injured Sane (knee, Feb), Laporte (knee, Jan), Zinchenko (knee, 7 Dec), Aguero (thigh, 15 Dec)

Suspended None

Discipline Y25 R1

Form LWWWLW

Leading Scorer Agüero 9