Guardiola Set to Stick with Winning Formula as City Face Newcastle After Liverpool Demolition
Following their demonstration of championship quality prior to the international pause, Manchester City face a challenging Premier League examination after the final break of 2025, as they travel to face Newcastle United at St. James's Park.
This venue hasn't been particularly kind to the Citizens recently, with the team managing victory in just one of their last four visits across all competitions, while the Magpies continue to be a formidable presence when backed by their passionate supporters. Their away form remains problematic.
Therefore, there's potential for City's confidence to take a hit this weekend and their championship ambitions to face renewed questioning, though Pep Guardiola's squad displayed threatening intensity before the pause and securing three points here would carry major significance.
Here's how the away team might set up on Tyneside this weekend.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Newcastle (4-1-4-1)
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma—Initial concerns about the Italian disrupting City's possession-based approach have been dispelled, as Donnarumma has emerged as an exceptional signing, with his superb reflexes and shot-stopping ability taking center stage.
RB: Matheus Nunes—Nunes has secured the right-back role, thriving under Guardiola's tactical approach of congesting the central areas. This has created ample opportunities for Nunes to advance into attacking positions.
CB: Rúben Dias—The Portuguese defender will face a stern test on Saturday evening, coming up against the imposing Nick Woltemade, whose form dipped slightly before the international break.
CB: Joško Gvardiol—With City's backline finding stability, Gvardiol has formed a solid partnership with Dias, and Guardiola appears likely to maintain this consistency for the weekend.
LB: Nico O'Reilly—The youth product has excelled in the left-back position since his promotion last season, and similar to Nunes, O'Reilly is capitalizing on the room created by Jérémy Doku's tendency to drift centrally.
DM: Nico González—With Rodri and Mateo Kovačić being City's sole unavailable players this weekend, the promising González will step up to anchor the midfield.
RM: Bernardo Silva—Guardiola will rely on a seasoned performer in this challenging away fixture. While Bernardo doesn't always bring tranquility, he excels at ball retention and can help neutralize opposition momentum.
AM: Phil Foden—Foden has operated more quietly this campaign, yet the English creative midfielder is enjoying an excellent season away from the spotlight.
AM: Rayan Cherki—The summer signing's understanding with Foden is proving key to unlocking City's attacking potential, though Newcastle's physical midfield presence will provide a stern examination.
LM: Jérémy Doku—Following his finest display in City colors in the previous match, Doku is certain to retain his position on the left flank. He may come up against experienced fullback Kieran Trippier given Tino Livramento's fitness concerns.
ST: Erling Haaland—The prolific Norwegian maintained his exceptional goalscoring streak during the international period, helping his country secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Nevertheless, he struggles against Newcastle, finding the net just once in five encounters.
