Manchester City v Newcastle: Title favourites to start with Etihad win
Published:Manchester City kick off their Premier League campaign at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night against Newcastle United.
City will be eager to start the season with all three points, and can be backed at 1/3 for a home win against Alan Pardew’s men.
It has been all change in the blue half of Manchester this summer, with Pellegrini replacing Roberto Mancini in the Citizens hotseat.
And the City board have backed their new manager to the tune of £90million in the transfer market, with Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic all added to the Chilean’s squad.
Meanwhile, Carlos Tevez, Kolo Toure, Maicon, Wayne Bridge and Roque Santa Cruz have been shown the exit door.
Fernandinho and Navas are expected to start against Newcastle, while Negredo may be preferred to Edin Dzeko alongside Sergio Aguero with Jovetic likely to figure from the bench.
Dzeko’s form in pre-season has been good despite suggestions that Pellergini could look to sell the Bosnian this summer, Dzeko is a 9/4 bet to score first and 6/5 anytime.
Newcastle have struggled for signings this summer having just brought in QPR striker Loic Remy on a season-long loan deal.
But the North-East club resolving the differences of Papiss Cisse could be Pardew’s best bit of business, as the Muslim forward backed down over his disagreement regarding the shirt sponsorship of loans company Wonga.
However, Newcastle’s recent record against City has been particularly poor, having lost 10 of their 11 last encounters in all competitions.
City have won their last five home games against the Geordie outfit, and thumped four goals past reserve keeper Rob Elliot at the Etihad last season.
Another win to nil looks tempting at odds of 21/20, given the strength of firepower at Pellegrini’s disposal.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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