Pep Guardiola’s side welcome the Magpies to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 4 March (12:30 UK) looking to maintain the momentum gained from victories in our past two matches in all competitions.
Last time out in the league we beat Bournemouth on the south coast 4-1, before booking our place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a strong 3-0 victory over Bristol City in the last-16 in midweek.
However, up against a side that have lost just twice all season in the Premier League, three points are far from a formality this weekend.
Eddie Howe’s side will also be looking to bounce back from League Cup final disappointment in their previous appointment as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the showpiece event.
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If the reverse fixture is anything to go by, the clash will promise to be an exciting affair as City fought back from two-goals down to draw 3-3 at St James’ Park in August 2022.
After Ilkay Gundogan struck first on Tyneside, before the hosts raced into a 3-1 lead by the 54th minute.
We weren’t down and out, though, as goals from Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva grabbed us a share of the spoils.
And there’s a swathe of decisions to be made by FPL managers before Saturday 4 March’s 11:00 (UK) deadline.
Learn who the scout is leaning on this weekend below…
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CITY STAR
Phil Foden’s (£8.0m) recent hot form could prove decisive as City entertain Newcastle United in Gameweek 26 of Fantasy Premier League.
The England star claimed his second-best haul of the season against Bournemouth last weekend, producing a goal, an assist and 13 points in the 4-1 victory.
He followed that up with two goals against Bristol City in the FA Cup in midweek, securing Guardiola’s side a place in the Quarter-Finals.
The underlying statistics highlight Foden’s influence on City in home matches this term.
He has been involved in 44% of our goals at the Etihad Stadium when selected, scoring six and assisting a further four.
That is bettered only by the 58% of Erling Haaland (£12.2m) among team-mates.
Similarly, Foden’s average of 9.3 points per start at home this term is second to the Norwegian’s 10.5.
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ONE TO WATCH
Allan Saint-Maximin (£6.1m) is likely to be the visitors’ danger man. The winger supplied three assists in the reverse fixture in Gameweek 3, earning 13 points in the 3-3 draw.
DIFFERENTIALS
Elsewhere, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Alexis Mac Allister (£5.4m) and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White (£5.5m) could be overlooked gems.
Mac Allister’s 14 shots, nine shots in the box and eight shots on target are all team-leading totals in his last four matches ahead of a home clash with West Ham United.
Gibbs-White entertains Everton having averaged 5.6 points per home match this season.
