Manchester City will travel to Newcastle United looking to make it three wins from three when the two sides meet at St. James’ Park on Sunday evening.
The Magpies are unbeaten in the league after they shared the spoils with Brighton & Hove Albion following a goalless draw on Saturday.
The Citizens, meanwhile, are filled with confidence coming into this match after they cruised to a comfortable 4-0 hammering of Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium. And that was with Erling Haaland not even getting on the scoresheet.
The Magpies’ draw sees them occupy fifth place in the league with four points while City are back at the summit of the league.
“We are not champions of the Premier League (yet), that’s for sure. There are more than 100 points to play but I have no complaints, especially zero goals (conceded),” Man City boss Pep Guardiola said.
“The fact we concede one shot on target (against Bournemouth) and in the game against West Ham, apart from Michail Antonio with the header and Declan Rice we didn’t concede much.
“That is the most important thing. We have the desire to gain the ball and with the ball we are incredibly well organised.
“Every time we lose the ball, we don’t concede the runners or counter attacks and that is so important for us especially against teams like West Ham.
“But we cannot forget three seasons ago when Liverpool won the Premier League, we lost five points in the first five games.
“Two seasons ago we lost seven points in the first five games and last season we lost five points in the first five games.
“Always in this period, we drop points, (then) after we make maybe 12, 13, 14 games in a row winning.
“This year that isn’t going to happen because when we are strongest – October, November, December – this is the World Cup.
“Maybe it will be different (this season). Of course, it is so important to start this consistent but now we have one or two days off and prepare our game for Newcastle.”
Manchester City were the dominant side over Newcastle United in the Premier League last season after they did the double over the Magpies by scoring a total of nine goals in the two-legged fixture following their 4-0 win at St. James’ Park followed by a 5-0 thrashing at the Etihad Stadium.
Eddie Howe only has two players unavailable for the clash as Kell Watts and Jonjo Shelvey remain sidelined. Only defender Aymeric Laporte is out for the visitors.
Callum Wilson will be determined to return to the score sheet after he failed to score in his last appearance for Newcastle against Brighton, with his only goal coming on the opening game of the campaign against Nottingham Forest.
Kevin De Bruyne will be looking to continue his current run of form for City which has seen him contribute to three goals, including one goal and two assists in his first two matches of the season.
Newcastle United Form This Season:
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Manchester City Form This Season:
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