Will Howe Make Any Changes? 4-2-3-1 Newcastle United Predicted Lineup Vs Manchester City

Newcastle United travel to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday night aiming to carry their midweek momentum into a daunting Premier League encounter with Manchester City. The Magpies arrive in Manchester fresh from a statement 6-1 away victory over Qarabag in the UEFA Champions League, a result that should inject belief into Eddie Howe’s squad as they prepare to face the reigning champions.

Howe is expected to resist rotation and stick with the same 4-2-3-1 shape that has served his side well in recent weeks. Between the posts, Nick Pope will reprise his role after conceding just once in his last outing, while the back four is set to remain intact. Malick Thiaw will again partner Dan Burn in central defence, tasked with shackling City’s fluid forward line, and the full-back berths will be occupied by Kieran Trippier on the right and Lewis Hall on the left—both instructed to balance defensive diligence with selective forays forward. Alex Murphy will provide cover from the bench.

In midfield, the engine room pairing of Sandro Tonali and Joe Willock is anticipated to start once more, with the duo charged with disrupting City’s rhythm and winning the pivotal second-ball battles. Ahead of them, an attacking trident of Harvey Barnes, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga will look to combine pace and creativity to exploit any gaps left by Pep Guardiola’s high line.

Leading the line, Anthony Gordon—fresh from a four-goal haul against Qarabag—will spearhead the visitors’ attack. The 25-year-old’s confidence will be sky-high, and Howe will hope that sharpness translates into end-product against City’s seasoned back line. Joelinton and Jacob Ramsey are poised to offer impact from the bench, while William Osula rounds out the substitutes.

With minimal changes expected, the onus will be on Newcastle’s first-choice XI to replicate the intensity and clinical edge that defined their European triumph and spring a surprise at the Etihad.

Newcastle predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Willock; Barnes, Woltemade, Elanga; Gordon.