Manchester City are on the hunt for answers as they try to figure out why they have been experiencing recent collapses. The team is gearing up to face Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League.
In their Champions League play-off against Real Madrid, City had a 2-1 lead on two occasions but ended up suffering a 3-2 defeat. Their last Premier League match saw them being humiliated 5-1 by Arsenal, putting an end to their six-match unbeaten streak in the competition.
Currently sitting fifth in the table with 41 points, City is still within reach of the top four. However, Nathan Ake acknowledged that if they want to remain competitive this season, they need to stop squandering leads.
“It’s frustrating and hard to take when you’re winning 2-1 and then give it away in the last five minutes or so,” Ake said after the defeat. “We’re trying to find the reason why. There are little details that you can get away with in some games, but against top teams like this, you won’t get away with it. The next game is coming quickly, so we have to be ready.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle is currently level on points with City but sits one place below them in sixth due to scoring fewer goals. The Magpies suffered a 2-1 defeat to Fulham in their last Premier League match but have since bounced back with victories over Arsenal in the EFL Cup and Birmingham City in the FA Cup.
Joe Willock, who scored twice in the win against Birmingham, expressed his delight at finally finding his flow and is eager to continue contributing to the team’s fight this season.
“I think it’s important because it’s been hard to get into my flow,” Willock said. “I’m so delighted for the boys playing day in and day out. The manager told me to continue and keep going. When you get the chance to play from the beginning, you’ve got to show what you can do. I’m trying to kick on from here and give my best for this team. I’ve got to keep going to help the team with so much to play for in the second half of the season.”
In terms of players to watch, Savinho has been instrumental for City this season, providing five of his six Premier League assists for Erling Haaland. On the other hand, Anthony Gordon has scored in each of his last two Premier League games against City.
Looking at the history between the two teams, City has lost just one of their last 34 Premier League games against Newcastle. However, at home, City has won their last 15 Premier League games against Newcastle. Newcastle has failed to score in their last five trips to the Etihad and is winless in 20 away league games against City since 2000.
City has scored in each of their last 32 Premier League games against Newcastle, while Newcastle has won their last four Premier League away games. The win probability according to Opta is 49% for Manchester City, 23% for a draw, and 28% for Newcastle United.
