Newcastle v Manchester City
Champions Manchester City start their title defence with a difficult trip to St. James’ Park to take on Newcastle United on Sunday as the new campaign kicks off. The Sky Blues have an excellent record against the Magpies having won nine out of the last 10 encounters. Newcastle’s only favourable result came against City last year in the League Cup with a goalless draw at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle endured a yo-yo season last term that left fans furious with the management of Alan Pardew on the pitch. After a poor start, the Magpies then went on a run of seven wins and a draw in nine matches in November and December, reaching 40 points before seemingly giving up for the season – winning just five of their final 20 matches and scoring only 14 goals. Pardew faced boycotts, boos and banners on a weekly basis and knew he had his work cut out if he was ever to win the fans over again. Pardew has moved quickly to make a number of impressive-looking signings to strengthen his squad and challenge for a top half finish.
Remy Cabella was Newcastle’s biggest signing of the summer for a reported fee of £12m. He scored 14 goals from the wing last season. He’ll be looking to have the kind of impact that former French wingers David Ginola and Laurent Robery had on Tyneside. Fellow new signing Siem de Jong can play in a variety of positions; behind the striker, on the wing or up front. His goal record is good without being outstanding, but it’s his clever link up and team play is what will have fans excited – he’s already been named Pardew’s vice-captain.
The man most likely to threaten City’s defence is Emmanuel Riviere, the versatile striker filled in admirably for Radamel Falcao after the Colombian star got injured for Monaco last season. Only 24, Riviere could take time to adapt to the Premier League but has the potential to develop into an exciting goalscorer.
The Champions will start their title defence against Newcastle, looking to move on from their 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal in last weekend’s Community Shield. City have been active in the transfer market this summer and their shrewd moves hint that they are taking their title defence very seriously. Manuel Pellegrini has added a few players to his team and is taking the axe to some of the deadwood around the club.
The minimal tinkering the Chilean has done is keep a solid core of players, and enable the team that succeeded last year to continue their winning ways. The Citizens have added depth to their midfield with the likes of former Chelsea player Frank Lampard and Fernando who signed from FC Porto.
Fernando whose nickname “The Octopus,” alludes to how the ball is constantly sticking to his feet from the many tackles he makes in his midfield destroyer role. Pellegrini has also added Bacary Sagna to challenge the outstanding Pablo Zabaleta at right back. The former Arsenal player was brought in by the club on a free transfer and is a great signing with his proven experience in the Premier League. Manchester City’s sixth and most recent signing, centre-back Eliaquim Mangala, could be their most important one.
The French international signed who from FC Porto could slot straight into the starting line-up ahead of the inconsistent duo of Martin Demicheles and Matija Nastasic. Samir Nasri, who was left out of the French national team will be City’s main ingredient of creativity. No sane football observer would question Nasri’s talent. Manchester City’s stand out player is undoubtedly Yaya Toure. The Ivorian scored a superb 20 goals for City in the 2013-14 season. His steady presence and prolific scoring papered over many of the hairline cracks in City’s foundation, both defensive and offensive. He will be an important player for City this season and could cause a number of problems for the Magpies’ shaky defence.
City fans will be hoping to see the best of Sergio Aguero this season. When Aguero is fit, he is one of the most lethal strikers on the planet. The trouble is, as the Argentine national team could attest, he is not always fit. The striker scored 17 goals in 23 Premier League appearances for City last season (20 of them starts).
Prediction:
Manchester City’s excellent record against Newcastle in the league includes two 4-0 thrashings and a 2-0 win in the last three meetings. Newcastle will struggle to prevent City from doing what they do so brilliantly and that’s destroying their opponents with ease. The away side are tipped to come out strong and maintain their excellent head-to-head record.
Written by Chadley Nagel
