Newcastle v Manchester City: Mancini’s men to get back on track
Published:Newcastle United will attempt to end their wretched run of form against the champions Manchester City at St James’ Park.
The Toon won their last home game 3-0 against Wigan, but that was their only victory in 10 outings in all competitions, leading to a price of 4/1 for success over City.
Alan Pardew’s side have found it hard to build on a remarkable campaign last year, where they qualified for Europe.
The club are currently in 14th spot in the Premier League and are just two points off Wigan in the relegation places, with the Magpies supporters growing increasingly anxious.
Their opponents Man City have not been enjoying a stellar spell in any competition recently, with Roberto Mancini under pressure himself after his team were knocked out of the Champions League.
A heart-breaking 3-2 derby defeat in the league to bitter rivals Manchester United won’t have helped things at Eastlands, but they remain the favourites to earn three points from their trip to Newcastle.
City are just 8/13 to win, but the shortness of that price is reinforced by the terrible record Newcastle have suffered in recent seasons against the Citizens.
City have won all five of their last meetings – both home and away – whilst it has been 11 encounters since the Magpies last celebrated a win in this fixture.
Just two of those games ended in a draw – which can be backed this time at 3/1 – with City enjoying an astonishing 82% win rate which they will be keen to enhance this season.
Both teams to score seems a decent punt at 8/11 considering Newcastle and City have both found their net in their last three league outings.
And that bet would have paid out in five of the two clubs last six meetings, although this clash last season ended 2-0 to City with Yaya Toure scoring twice.
The Ivorian midfielder is a good bet to strike in this match at 9/4 anytime, and the 29-year-old will be keen to contribute before he departs Manchester for the African Cup of Nations in January.
Another Citizen worth keeping an eye on in the goalscorer market is Carlos Tevez, who was controversially dropped to the bench for the derby defeat.
The Argentine came on for the lackluster Mario Balotelli in the second half and looked lively as City mounted a comeback, and could break the deadlock in this game at 9/2. Sergio Aguero is the same price.
For the hosts Demba Ba is the most potent goal threat with 10 league strikes to his name so far this term, and he could fire first against the champions at a price of 7/1.
Hatem Ben Arfa marked his return from injury against Fulham with a goal – his third of the season – and the Frenchman is an enticing 4/1 to make it two from two.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
