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2022/23 English Premier League
Matchday 26
Manchester City v Newcastle United
Etihad Stadium
Manchester, England
Saturday, 4 March 2023
Kick-off is at 14h30
Manchester City will look to keep the pressure on the
Premier League leaders when they welcome Newcastle to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, March 4.
The Citizens stayed in touch with Arsenal courtesy of a resounding 4-1 victory at Bournemouth last Saturday to keep the gap between first and second at two points.
The Gunners, who have a game in hand on their closest challengers, edged Leicester 1-0 at the King Power Stadium earlier in the day to remain in pole position.
Newly-crowned EFL Cup champions Manchester United are six points adrift of their neighbours in third spot, having beaten Newcastle 2-0 in the final at Wembley last Sunday to hand Erik ten Hag his first piece of silverware at Old Trafford.
Tottenham closed to within four points of the Red Devils in fourth place after running out 2-0 victors against Chelsea, although they have played one game more.
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The Magpies still occupy fifth spot and will be counting their blessings that Fulham (6th), Liverpool (7th), Brighton (8th) and Brentford (9th) all dropped points this past weekend.
Eddie Howe's side suffered a 2-0 home defeat to the Reds most recently in the league, which extended their winless run to four matches - the previous three having all ended in draws.
The Tynesiders trail Spurs by four points but will climb back into the top four if they win their two games in hand on the north Londoners.
Phil Foden is enjoying another impressive season at City and played a starring role against the Cherries, registering a goal and an assist. The 22-year-old winger is now just one goal away of reaching nine for the third year running in the top flight, which is his best haul in a campaign.
Miguel Almiron has been the Toon's star performer this term, reaching double figures for the first time in a black and white shirt. The Paraguayan hit a purple patch before the World Cup, scoring seven goals in as many games, although he's found the back of the net just twice in eight outings since the domestic action resumed on Boxing Day.
In team news, the hosts must do without John Stones (thigh) once more, while Aymeric Laporte (illness) is rated doubtful for the visit of Newcastle, for whom Nick Pope (suspension), Bruno Guimaraes (ankle) and Emil Krafth (knee) remain unavailable.
City manager Pep Guardiola expects a few more surprises in the title race and admits his team cannot afford to slip up too much if they want to retain their crown.
"In the Premier League we are close and the last 10 games will define the season," the Spaniard said. "I have the feeling in the Premier League many things will happen - teams will drop points. But we can't drop many if we want to be there!"
Howe suggested some players in his squad will not get another chance to appear in a cup final as he looks to continue making progress at St James' Park, with the Tynesiders having made their first trip to Wembley in 24 years.
"Certainly some of the players will," Howe said. "I'm sure the younger players will take all of those experiences and it will do them good.
"Not everyone is in the same situation and a football career is a very volatile thing so there will be some players that might not get back to Wembley. Who knows? What lies ahead for me? There are no guarantees in football. All you can do is try and improve from it."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man City - 4
Newcastle - 0
Draws - 1
Premier League fixtures - matchday 26:
Saturday, March 4
12h30: Manchester City v Newcastle United
1h00: Arsenal v Bournemouth
17h00: Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
17h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v West Ham United
17h00: Chelsea v Leeds United
17h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur
19h30: Southampton v Leicester City
Sunday, March 5
16h00: Nottingham Forest v Everton
18h30: Liverpool v Manchester United
Monday, March 6
22h00: Brentford v Fulham
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