Manchester City vs. Newcastle United: Preview & More

Etihad Stadium, Saturday 21 February 2026, 20:00 GMT – the stage is set for a pivotal Premier League duel that could shape the complexion of the title run-in. Manchester City welcome Newcastle United with only 12 fixtures remaining and, in Pep Guardiola’s words, “an eternity” of football still to unfold.

City’s objective is simple: claim all three points to keep momentum surging through the second half of the campaign. A 4-0 rout of Newcastle in the corresponding home fixture last season—Omar Marmoush’s hat-trick and James McAtee’s strike still fresh in the memory—offers encouragement, yet the reverse meeting this term ended 2-1 to the Magpies on Tyneside, a reminder of the threat Eddie Howe’s side pose even when depleted.

Depleted they are. Newcastle will travel without Sven Botman, Yoane Wissa, Emil Krafth, Fabian Schär, Tino Livramento, Bruno Guimarães and Lewis Miley through injury or suspension. City, too, have key absences: Joško Gvardiol, Mateo Kovačić, Jérémy Doku and Shea Charles Alleyne are all unavailable.

The tactical focus narrows on Guardiola’s defensive selection. With Gvardiol sidelined, the identity of the left-sided centre-back remains uncertain, while the engine room must compensate for Kovačić’s creativity. Up front, Erling Haaland—fresh off a productive spell—carries the goal threat, supported by the in-form Antoine Semenyo, whose recent performances have added directness to City’s attacking repertoire.

Guardiola insists the table has not been discussed inside the dressing room. “Yesterday and the day before it’s just Newcastle, Newcastle and Newcastle,” he said. “I didn’t talk about the table, I didn’t talk about the position or something like that. I couldn’t care less. It’s 12 games left, it is an eternity, so many things is going to happen. That is the only truth I have.”

Viewers worldwide can follow the action live: TNT Sports in the United Kingdom, Peacock/USA Network/Universo in the United States, DAZN in Canada, Hotstar VIP in India, Paramount+ in Mexico and SuperSport in Nigeria. U.S. audiences can stream every Manchester City match in high definition via FuboTV’s USA Network/NBC integration.

A tricky assignment awaits, but with Haaland hunting goals and Semenyo in confident form, City will fancy their chances of turning a tough home matchup into a statement victory.