Michael Owen has predicted a loss for Newcastle United when they face Manchester City on Saturday.
The Toon Army host the champions in this weekend’s early kick-off, and despite registering a win in the corresponding fixture last season, the ex-Magpie is not holding out high hopes for his former club.
Speaking to Bet Victor, he said: “I was disappointed with Newcastle at Villa Park on Monday and their attacking players continue to struggle to create opportunities let alone score goals at present. Steve Bruce’s side will have to be at the top of their game when champions Manchester City come to town in Saturday’s early kick-off.
“Yes, the Magpies came from behind to win the corresponding fixture 2-1 at St James’ Park last season, but I don’t expect Pep Guardiola’s side to slip up at the weekend given they have the opportunity to cut the deficit – albeit briefly – to leaders Liverpool to six points with a win.”
OPINION
Newcastle are such an unpredictable side at the moment that trying to deliver a verdict on their results is nigh on impossible. Some weeks you get the side that can beat Tottenham and Manchester United, other times you’ll get the team who get soundly turned over by newly promoted Aston Villa. This weekend though, you can’t help fearing for them. The Toon Army had just 38% possession against the Villans on Monday evening, as per the BBC, and if they slump into a similar passive pattern of play against the champions, as most sides do, then you can’t help feeling that it will be a matter of when, rather than if, the deadlock is broken. Of course, they did cause an upset when the two sides met back in January, but lightning rarely strikes twice, and with so much at stake with regards to the title race, expect City to come out firing.
