The game of the weekend is probably at the Etihad where top-of-the-table Toon take on defending Premier League Champions Manchester City. We’ve put together a 22/1 fourfold Bet Builder for you to consider heading into the live game on Saturday night…
The first leg of this forfold is backing both teams to score. Last season, Newcastle and Man City played out an epic 3-3 draw early in the campaign and even though the reverse fixture was a 2-0 home win to Pep’s side, the visitors had many chances to get themselves on the scoresheet. Alexander Isak is in superb form and looks set to battle it out for the best striker in the Premier League behind City’s main man. I think Newcastle try to go toe-to-toe with the champions and that should mean goals at both ends.
Adding Erling Haaland to score anytime is kind of like a free hit when it comes to City games. He opened his season with a double against Burnley and anytime the 23 year-old is on the pitch, you know he can find the back of the net. In his final ten league starts of last year, he only failed to score in three of them. All the stats and your eyes indicate that he’s more likely to find the back of the net in 90 minutes than he is not to do so.
I’ve also thrown in a couple of cards for Newcastle players. Kieran Trippier is a wise defender who in all likelihood will be up against Jack Grealish on Saturday night. The England teammates will know each other well from training sessions with the national team. The chances of a mistimed challenge or a strategic shirt-pull as the City winger dances past the Toon right-back seem high.
Added to that is Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes who himself is prone to a mistimed tackle in the centre of the park. Not only that but he got booked last Saturday for asking the referee to book another player. With officials clamping down on that type of behaviour, it puts the 25 year-old squarely in the crosshairs of being shown a flash of yellow.
I’m fully expecting a very competitive game and should Eddie Howe’s side come away with a point – or three – then the pundits will start taking them for real. It is never the perfect time to face Manchester City but a long-trip after a 120 minute game is about as good as it can get. Both sides should be at full strength, so this one should be fun and this 22/1 Bet Builder feels like it has a real shot.
