'Yet to click': Chris Sutton thinks Newcastle's poor form will be a problem when they face Man City

Newcastle United meet Manchester City at St James' Park in the early Saturday game - Kick-off is 12:30pm live on TNT Sports.

Eddie Howe's side have not played anywhere near their best so far this season but had been getting away with it for the most part until it all came undone at Craven Cottage last week losing 3-1 to Fulham.

Newcastle have arguably had an 'easy' start to the campaign, but all that is about to change on Saturday when the champions come to town.

After such a rotten defeat last week, Eddie Howe was grateful that the midweek match against AFC Wimbledon was called off allowing him extra time to prepare for their biggest test of the season so far.

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Chris Sutton feels a beating is on the cards for Newcastle

However, despite the extra time on the training ground and the fact that Manchester City have lost one of their biggest stars in Rodri to an ACL injury, it's still going to be a huge challenge.

Chris Sutton has written his score prediction for the BBC and it's not happy reading for Geordies.

"Newcastle’s performances have not been there all season but they have been picking up results, most of the time. They could have gone top for a few hours last weekend, had they not lost at Fulham after a disappointing performance.

"They have given Manchester City a good game at St James' Park in the past couple of years but, given their current form and the fact they are yet to click, I am not sure this game will be as close.

"City are without Rodri but I still think they will win comfortably. Of course they will miss him, but they have players who are capable of stepping in.

"Sutton's prediction: 1-3"

Pundits aren't really giving Newcastle a chance

It seems that the pundits don't hold much hope for us as Paul Merson was even more harsh with his prediction.

The thing with Newcastle is that they can, and tend to raise their game when facing the bigger sides, so hopefully that's what will happen at St James' Park tomorrow.

We keep saying, though, that as long as we can see that the lads are trying, we'll take it. That's what has been missing so far this season and seeing some heart and effort going in will go a long way towards changing the mood.