Newcastle United v Man City team news and predicted line-ups: Joelinton & Haaland updates ahead of clash

There are fewer tasks in English as unenviable as hosting Manchester City. On Saturday evening, Newcastle United will be faced with that dubious honour as they look to end a run of three consecutive top flight defeats.

The Magpies are currently ninth in the table, but will at least head into the weekend off the back of a 3-0 FA Cup third round victory over bitter rivals Sunderland last time out. Eddie Howe's men rarely looked troubled against their Championship opposition last Saturday, and will be hoping to take a similarly measured approach to City's looming visit.

For their part, the treble winners could move to within two points of league leaders Liverpool with a win this weekend, and will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run in the top flight to five straight matches. City put Huddersfield Town to the sword in a 5-0 drubbing on Sunday, a match as notable for the long-awaited return of Kevin de Bruyne as it was anything else.

But how will both sides line up at St. James' Park on Saturday evening? We've taken a look at their respective team news and predicted starting XIs below...

Newcastle United Team News

Newcastle have struggled terribly with injuries this season, and are still set to be without a number of first team players this weekend. First choice goalkeeper Nick Pope is not expected back until April after undergoing shoulder surgery last year, while Matt Targett and Javier Manquillo are both missing at full-back.

In midfield, Sandro Tonali is only partway through a lengthy ban for gambling-related offences, while Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson are not expected back until later this month. In a major blow, Joelinton is set to be out for around six weeks due to a quad injury he sustained against Sunderland.

Elsewhere, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy are still a little way off match fitness, and Eddie Howe has openly suggested that Callum Wilson could be back in time to face Aston Villa on January 30th.

Newcastle United Predicted XI

Martin Dubravka; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley; Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon.

Manchester City Team News

By comparison, City have a relatively clean bill of health. As mentioned above, Kevin de Bruyne made his return from injury last time out, and may be fit enough to start on Tyneside this weekend. The Belgian could be joined by fellow attacking juggernaut Erling Haaland, who will face a late assessment, but may be able to feature in some capacity.

Elsewhere, Kalvin Phillips, Bernardo Silva, and veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson have all been struck down by illness recently, and it remains to be seen whether they are deemed well enough to play a part on Saturday, while defender Manuel Akanji picked up a knock against Huddersfield, and may only have a 50/50 chance of making the match day squad.

City's only confirmed absentee is John Stones, who is battling an ongoing ankle issue. Speaking last week, Pep Guardiola said: 'He's not training with us. He's getting better but not training with us. I don't know [when he's back].'

Manchester City Predicted XI

Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Ake; Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, Kevin de Bruyne; Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku.