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.
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…
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.
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.
