(Photo by Nigel Roddis / AFP)

Newcastle v Man City Odds, Preview and Tips

Game time & date: 1630 BST, Sunday August 21
Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle
Last result between the two: City 5-0 Newcastle, Premier League, May 2022
Broadcast: Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League

Manchester City have made a flying start to their latest title defence, taking maximum points from an opening weekend trip to West Ham and a 4-0 home win over Brighton.

Having been made the favourites in the Premier League title race, they already have an advantage over rivals Liverpool, who have recorded two draws from two games to lag four points behind the champions.

City’s opponents on Sunday have also kept two clean sheets with Eddie Howe’s side shutting out Nottingham Forest and Brighton in their opening Premier League fixtures.

The Newcastle v Man City betting odds point to an away win considering Pep Guardiola’s side won both meetings between the sides by a comfortable margin last term.

Magpies on losing streak against City

While Newcastle have started strongly this season, their head-to-head record against City is extremely poor with six straight defeats in this fixture in all competitions dating back to 2019.

This season’s Magpies appear to be made of sterner stuff, though their run of back-to-back clean sheets at the start of the new season will face a tougher test when the champions come to town on Sunday.

Brazilian duo Joelinton and January arrival Bruno Guimaraes have formed a superb partnership in the heart of Newcastle’s midfield and their defence was bolstered by the summer signing of Sven Botman.

England goalkeeper Nick Pope is yet to let in a goal after joining from Burnley but Newcastle conceded nine times against City in two Premier League meetings last season, being thrashed twice.

A closer clash seems likely this time, with under 2.5 goals at 7/5 with 888Sport therefore appealing.

Spotlight still on star striker Haaland

Despite City winning 4-0 at home to Bournemouth last week, question marks were raised over the relative lack of impact made by striker Erling Haaland, who touched the ball just eight times.

Haaland did brilliantly to create the opening goal for Ilkay Gundogan but, having hit a double on his Premier League debut, it was a surprise to see he could not extend his scoring streak for City.

Pep Guardiola is unlikely to be too worried, however, with his team already sitting at the top of the table – Arsenal are the only other side with two wins out of two in the Premier League so far.

In five of their past six meetings against Newcastle, City have kept a clean sheet and they look a solid bet to improve that sequence with what would be a third Premier League shutout of the new season.

The 10/11 at 888Sport against both teams scoring stands out as the visitors are such strong favourites in the Newcastle v Man City betting odds to win it is necessary to look elsewhere for decent value.

Although Newcastle have struggled in this fixture in recent years, they look set for a successful season and can lay down a marker by avoiding defeat. Newcastle double chance is a strong bet at 9/4 with 888.

Predictions

It would not be a surprise to see City make it three wins out of three, but a trip to Newcastle in front of what is sure to be a packed and passionate St James’ Park will be their biggest test of the season so far.

While the head-to-head record in recent years is very much against them, Newcastle double chance is a top value option at 9/4 with 888, as is the 10/11 with the same bookmaker against both teams to score.

With a tight clash seemingly certain, the under 2.5 goals at 7/5 with 888Sport is another appealing bet and the 16/1 on a scoreless draw in Sunday’s clash is another that is worth considering as well.

Author: Jamie Smith