'I don't think this will be easy for City': Chris Sutton's words don't tally with his prediction for NUFC v MCFC
Newcastle United meet Manchester City for the fourth time this season on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium in an 8pm kick-off live on TNT Sports.
This won't be the last time the two sides meet this season, either, having drawn each other in the FA Cup too. And who knows, we might end up competing in the Champions League final too. I mean ... it could happen.
We wouldn't be surprised if the FA decide to bring in replays for the FA Cup fifth round in case we draw at St James' Park and they can squeeze another meeting out of us. Or do they draw the line at letting them field cup-tied signings?
Anyway, this is about the Premier League meeting on Saturday. One which Newcastle go into, having just returned to England after a 5000-mile round trip, getting back in the country at 4am on Thursday, so what we really need is a late-night kick-off. Cheers, TNT Sports!
We wonder what Chris Sutton would have predicted if he thought it was going to be easy
Chris Sutton has given his score prediction for the BBC, and he feels the midweek trip may be a factor, too. He also states he doesn't think it's going to be easy for Man City but then backs them to absolutely batter us.
"This is the fourth meeting between these two clubs already this season, with another to come soon in the FA Cup fifth round - I bet they are sick of each other already.
"Newcastle have a long trip back from Azerbaijan to contend with before this game, but at least they have put their Champions League tie with Qarabag to bed already and can focus fully on City rather than next week's second leg.
"The Magpies still have an awful record at Etihad, however - they lost here in the Carabao Cup in January and have never managed a win in 20 visits in the Premier League.
"I don't think this will be easy for City, but I do think they will beat them, again, to move within two points of Arsenal.
"The only thing I am not sure about is whether to captain Erling Haaland in my Fantasy team, because he has been out injured.
"Sutton's prediction: 3-1"
One day, we will win at the Etihad Stadium. We're just not sure that day will be Saturday
As we have said before, confidence is not high for us going into this one. We're aware that this run of not being able to win at the Etihad has to come to an end eventually, and we'll always hold out hope that the next game there will be the one.
However, we're also realistic, and we know that our squad isn't in the right shape to pull that off right now. Which will make it all the more remarkable if we manage it, of course.
We're still preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. It's our survival strategy.
