Man City lineup vs. Newcastle: Predicted XI for Premier League clash

Manchester City will be without at least three players for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.

Croatian pair Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture) and Mateo Kovacic (ankle/heel) both remain sidelined with injuries, and so does winger Jeremy Doku (calf), while Max Alleyne (knock) will all be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Pep Guardiola has confirmed, albeit with just a nod in his pre-match press conference, that striker Erling Haaland will be fit to return after missing City’s 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Salford last weekend, while Savinho is also "ready" to make his comeback after being sidelined since New Year's Day with a thigh problem.

While Savinho is not expected to start, Haaland should lead the line and could be supported in attack by either Antoine Semenyo or Omar Marmoush, the latter of whom has scored five goals across his previous two home encounters with Newcastle, including a PL hat-trick in February 2025.

Guardiola is set to choose between Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders to start in advanced central roles – Reijnders produced a superb display against Newcastle in City’s 3-1 second-leg win in the EFL Cup semi-finals earlier this month.

Rodri and Nico O’Reilly are the most likely duo to continue in deep-lying midfield roles, while Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Nunes are both expected to continue as full-backs.

John Stones and Alleyne both started at centre-back against Salford - the latter was withdraw in the first half with a knock - but Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi will presumably be recalled to the heart of the defence on Saturday, while Gianluigi Donnarumma is set to replace James Trafford in goal.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, O'Reilly; Bernardo, Cherki; Semenyo, Haaland

> Click here to see how Newcastle United could line up for this contest