What do we want with Manchester City? | OneFootball

As Newcastle United fans, our thoughts now turn to Manchester City.

Our next match, Saturday afternoon at 3pm.

However, for Manchester City, they are in action this midweek before playing Newcastle and the midweek after the NUFC game.

The small matter of Real Madrid, either side of Newcastle United.

This is the time of the year when European commitments can very much impact on Premier League clubs.

After getting through the group stage, the tricky part begins.

In this instance though, the first season of the Champions League mid-season play-off matches seeing Manchester City and Real Madrid thrown together, to get through to the usual last 16 knockout stages.

Interesting to compare the schedules of Manchester City and Newcastle United.

Saturday 7 February – Birmingham 2 Newcastle 3

Saturday 14 February – Manchester City v Newcastle

Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest

Manchester City

Saturday 7 February – Leyton Orient 1 Man City 2

Tuesday 11 February – Man City v Real Madrid

Saturday 14 February – Man City v Newcastle

Wednesday 19 February – Real Madrid v Man City

Sunday 23 February – Man City v Liverpool

It would be extremely foolish to write off Manchester City in any match.

However, fair to say that Pep Guardiola and his team/squad are going through a very different season after years of domination.

A bit ridiculous how much losing one injured player, Rodri, has been claimed to affect them. However, when they are missing other stars, Manchester City also certainly seem to be severely hampered.

Going behind and struggling against Leyton Orient, Manchester City needing to bring on De Bruyne, Foden, Stones, Khusanov and Silva to eventually struggle past the mid-table third tier side.

Between the 7th and 23rd February, Newcastle United and Eddie Howe, having only this Manchester City match.

Whilst Pep Guardiola also has these two huge Real Madrid matches to play.

So what do you fancy in this match tonight, that could most help Newcastle United on Saturday?

Well, I suppose you don’t want either side winning 6-0 and the tie over, so the first match leaving it finely balanced ahead of the return in Madrid in eight days time, looks about right.

What will Pep Guardiola do in between his two Real Madrid matches, which are surely his huge priority? No chance of winning the Champions League, surely he is throwing everything at Europe…