Manchester City return to the Etihad Stadium tonight looking to capitalise on Arsenal’s midweek slip-up and tighten their grip on the Premier League title race.
Pep Guardiola’s side currently sit second in the table, just five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand. The Citizens were buoyed by the Gunners’ midweek stalemate at Wolves, and a victory tonight would reduce the gap at the summit to just two points before the North London derby on Sunday. City arrive in fine form, having won six of their last seven matches across all competitions, including a dominant 3–0 victory over Fulham in their last league outing.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, travel to Manchester seeking revenge for their 5–1 aggregate defeat to City in the EFL Cup semi-finals earlier this month. Despite their historic struggles at the Etihad, Eddie Howe’s side are currently riding a three-match winning streak on the road, most recently thrashing Qarabağ 6–1 in the Champions League. The Magpies sit in the top half and are looking to complete their first league double over City since 1983–84.
Manchester City vs Newcastle United – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 21 February 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
- Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
- Referee: Tom Bramall
- VAR: James Bell
- Last Meeting: Manchester City 3–1 Newcastle United (4 Feb 2026), Carabao Cup
Team News
Manchester City
The hosts have received a significant boost with Erling Haaland passed fit after missing the FA Cup win over Salford City. Savinho is also available for the first time since New Year’s Day, although Jérémy Doku remains sidelined. The Citizens will definitely be without Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić, while Max Alleyne is a doubt after being withdrawn early last weekend.
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe is hoping to welcome back Sven Botman and Lewis Miley, with the former described as being “in and around this game”. However, the Magpies will be without influential midfielder Bruno Guimarães until after the international break. Tino Livramento, Yoane Wissa, Emil Krafth, and Fabian Schär also remain out of contention for the trip to Manchester.
Form
Manchester City
The Citizens have hit a rich vein of form at a crucial stage of the season, winning their last four matches across three different competitions. This run began with a 3–1 win over Newcastle in the EFL Cup semi-finals and continued with a thrilling 2–1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, secured by late heroics from Bernardo Silva and an Erling Haaland penalty. City followed this with a clinical 3–0 triumph over Fulham. Notably, Guardiola’s side has become exceptionally difficult to break down, conceding just eight goals in their last 12 league matches—the fewest of any side in the division in that period. They also remain unbeaten in their last 21 top-flight home meetings with the Magpies.
Newcastle United
The Magpies arrive in Manchester full of confidence after winning three consecutive away games, scoring 11 goals in the process. Following a 2–1 league win at Tottenham and an FA Cup victory over Aston Villa, Eddie Howe’s side most recently put Qarabağ FK to the sword with a 6–1 victory in Europe. Notably, Newcastle have already beaten City once this season—a 2–1 home win in November—and are aiming to secure a rare league double. However, they remain winless in 10 road matches against top-half teams and have famously failed to win at the Etihad in their previous 20 league visits.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester City Predicted XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Silva, Rodri, O’Reilly; Cherki, Haaland, Semenyo
Newcastle United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Ramsey, Tonali; Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes; Gordon
How to Watch Manchester City vs Newcastle United?
The match will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate. Fans can also stream the action via the discovery+ app.
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