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The sixth round of league matches in the Premier League this weekend are going to be headlined by some major games.
September 27, 2024
By: Davis Rothman
This weekend, the sixth round of games between the Premier League teams are to play this weekend, as two of the most prominently changed sides in the Premier League in recent history go head to head; as Manchester City face off against Newcastle at St. James Park on Saturday, Sep 28.
For Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, his record against Manchester City is zero wins, one draw, and seven losses (0-1-7) against the four-consecutive Premier League champions across all competitions since his appointment at the club back in 2021. The last time these two sides were in action against one another was back in January, where this April, where Manchester City edged Newcastle by a score of three goals to two, and took the three points from St. James Park back to Manchester.
Looking ahead to the match on Saturday, Newcastle are highly likely to be missing their man talisman up front, Alexander Isak. For he seems unlikely to take part because he had picked up a toe injury during the last week. So now the question is without Isak, who will be the supplying the goals?
And in the recent weeks, Anthony Gordon has still largely been contributing significantly in the attack. However, another answer that has shined brightly during these weeks has been through the in-form winger Harvey Barnes. As he, along with Gordon, are likely to be called upon to best the ones to lead the attack, and to be the ones to try and provide the attacking output for the Magpies.
With Callum Wilson still ruled out with injury as well, this leaves Newcastle with no senior team striker available to play up front. And because of that, there is a possibility for a change in Newcastle’s attack to take place. Where the three in the frontline are flexible, fluid, and constantly interchanging in which of the attacking areas are occupied. Another term for this sort of idea is called “the false nine system.” Where Gordon could be the “striker,” and be flanked by Barnes and another one of the wide options at their disposal, whether that could be Jacob Murphy or Miguel Almiron.
Tino Livramento also returns from injury and could also be in contention to find a starting role in Newcastle's defensive unit in one of the fullback areas (can play on the right and left side).
But apart from the attacking areas, there is not too much change to be expected from the side that Howes selected to start in their 3-1 loss to Fulham last weekend.
As for the current champions Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, there are many conundrums surrounding the club on the pitch. Guardiola, who has a record of 13 wins, two draws, and losses against Newcastle, will have a great many questions in the back of his mind and to think about as to who he will start at St. James Park this weekend. For there is possibility to see several changes to the team that started in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal, significantly headlined by their star defensive-midfielder Rodri, who picked a knee injury and ruled him out for the rest of the season. Along with Oscar Bobb, who joins Rodri in being ruled out with injury for the majority of the season; Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake will also miss out with shorter-term injuries.
For the players to keep an eye out for, the in-form Erling Haaland, will be relied upon for City’s goal scoring this weekend after already having scored ten goals across the first five games of the season. Rico Lewis, who had been dropped to bench in the last match for Kyle Walker, could be in line to be brought back into Pep’s starting team. In the midfield, it is likely to be either Mateo Kovacic or Ilkay Gundogan that will take over the vacant role and responsibility in midfield that was filled by Rodri.
Going into the match, Newcastle currently sit in sixth place in the league table, just two points off of the Top 4 positions, and level on points with Chelsea in fifth, but only behind in goal difference. They will be looking to get a result in a difficult fixture, after their loss against Fulham in the last league match.
And as for Manchester City, they remain at the top of the league table in first place, with 13 points, just one point ahead of second-placed Liverpool. City will look to remain at the top, and look to further extend their point gap from other potential title challengers like Liverpool and Arsenal.
But what will happen in this clash of these two Premier League sides? Will Newcastle go back to winning ways at home in front of their beloved supporters? Or will Manchester City prevail, and maintain their position at the very top of the table?
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