Phil Foden and Jack Grealish both to start – Predicted XI: Manchester City vs Newcastle (Premier League)

Manchester City will be looking to build on a comfortable FA Cup win in midweek and keep pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal as they face Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

After a strong victory against Bournemouth last weekend, which saw Pep Guardiola’s side net four goals, Manchester City will be hoping for a similar performance against the Magpies in their next top-flight outing.

Manchester City sit in second place at present, five points behind leaders Arsenal, with third place Manchester United just six points behind the reigning Champions and with a game in hand, so a comfortable win at home is needed to fend off pressure from Erik Ten Hag’s team.

Eddie Howe’s side will be looking to bounce back from heartache in the Carabao Cup final last weekend. They will also want to maintain pressure on Tottenham Hotspur, if they are to stay within a chance of securing Champions League football for next season.

Ahead of the upcoming Premier League tie against Eddie Howe’s side, here is how we predict Pep Guardiola to set up his Manchester City side at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Predicted XI

Ederson will maintain his ever-present place in goal and will be determined to maintain a clean sheet after conceding in his past six appearances for the club.

Despite Rico Lewis continuing to impress when selected for the City first team, we anticipate Pep Guardiola may implement his usual rotation and bring in Kyle Walker at right-back.

Ruben Dias has been a consistently strong presence within the Manchester City side after recovering from injury, and we expect him to start alongside Manuel Akanji on Saturday, with Aymeric Laporte only just returning to training following an illness.

Becoming one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted players, we expect Nathan Ake to complete the back four by starting once again at left-back. The Dutchman has consistently proved his versatility in defence and has been in great form throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

Kalvin Phillips was handed a second start of the season against Bristol City, but we expect the City boss to rotate Rodri back into the midfield. The Spain international should stand alongside Ilkay Gundogan, who has been an ever-consistent presence within the City squad.

Kevin De Bruyne has looked to begin his usual impressive runs of form with a fantastic solo goal against Bristol City in the FA Cup this week, and as such should now be certain to operate in his usual position in central midfield.

Whilst Pep Guardiola could opt for Riyad Mahrez to start this one, the Catalan coach may instead choose Phil Foden to attack from the right, with the England international beginning to look like his usual top-level self.

We expect Erling Haaland to return to action following a short stint on the bench last week against Bristol City. The Norwegian striker now has now scored 27 goals in the Premier League and will be determined to add to his tally against the Magpies.

Jack Grealish should complete the starting line-up at the Etihad Stadium, with the former Aston Villa man firmly staking a claim for being the most important cog in the Manchester City system over recent weeks.

Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland, Grealish.

Substitutes: Ortega, Lewis, Stones, Laporte, Phillips, Perrone, Bernardo, Mahrez, Alvarez.