'Expecting a crucial win': Paul Merson predicts who will win on Saturday night - Manchester City or Newcastle United
Newcastle United travel to the Etihad Stadium again to face Manchester City in the Premier League. The game kicks off at 8pm on Saturday, live on TNT Sports.
The Magpies will be buoyed by three wins away from home back-to-back-to-back, but come up against a strong Manchester City side, who are chasing the Premier League title.
We also can't talk about this game without once again mentioning the fact that Newcastle have never won in the Premier League at this ground. But we hadn't even scored there in over seven years before Anthony Elanga slotted home in the League Cup earlier this month.
Of course, that goal came as part of a 3-1 drubbing by Pep Guardiola's side, but it's still progress.
Paul Merson predicts the winner of Saturday night's late kick-off
Paul Merson has made his prediction for Sportskeeda, and he doesn't feel Newcastle will be able to break the curse this weekend.
"Newcastle beating Qarabag 6-1 in the Champions League ensures that they will play a strong team against Manchester City. When you look at Newcastle's fixtures, they have the best run to try and get in to the Champions League next season.
"In addition to Manchester City and Arsenal, Newcastle also face Chelsea and Manchester United during their run-in till the end of the season. When you are chasing teams, it's best you play them. Newcastle can get points and deny the same to their closest competitors.
"Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo pick themselves in that City line-up at the moment. I expect Pep Guardiola to pick Phil Foden to complete the front-three in this game, with Rayan Cherki coming off the bench.
"Rodri is not back to his best, but he knows how to play his role more than anyone. If you want to become a top defensive midfielder, just watch him play. He does all the simple things right on a consistent basis and that is incredibly hard to do. I expect Rodri to play a crucial role from now until the end of the season.
"With Marc Guehi in the back four now, Rodri doesn't have to protect City's defence that much now. I have a feeling Guehi might just be the reason why City catch Arsenal in the title race!
"Expecting a crucial win for City to put real pressure on Arsenal ahead of their derby against Tottenham.
"Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United"
We'll expect the worst but hope for the best on this one
As much as we need the win to get back in that Champions League race, I'd be absolutely chuffed if we managed to pick up a point on Saturday. It's not a defeat, and even that would feel massive at the Etihad.
The injuries we have and the fact that the lads have just made a 5000-mile round trip in midweek make the task very, very difficult.
We're keeping our expectations low for this one in a bid to avoid the rage response on Saturday night when the full-time whistle blows.
