Newcastle United v Manchester City: Can City contain the threat of Cisse?
Manchester City completed stage one of their quest to be Premier League champions on Monday night by beating Manchester United. On Sunday they must get past stage two unscathed at St James' Park, but that is easier said than done.
Newcastle United have their eyes on third spot and a place in the Champions League. The Geordies are just one point behind Arsenal and level with Spurs in the battle for Europe after seeing off Chelsea at the Bridge on Wednesday night. Papiss Cisse's sensational brace has been the talk of the Toon all week and his form in front of goal has given Sir Alex Ferguson hope of still being able to clinch title number 20.
Their performance against Chelsea was worlds apart from their display at the DW Stadium last Saturday. The Mags became the latest big name to suffer at the hands of Wigan Athletic as Roberto Martinez's men tore Alan Pardew's side apart, but the Toon bounced back to beat the Champions League finalists in their own backyard and keep a clean sheet to boot. Which Newcastle will be on show this weekend?
If this was being played at the Etihad then I'd have no doubts that City would pick up the three points and go on to clinch the title, but St James' Park is a dangerous place to go at the best of times, let alone when they are battling for a place in the top four. Manchester United left the north east in January with their tails between their legs following a 3-0 defeat so Mancini will have to have his best men out there.
Mancini will be telling his players: "You don't win the Premier League just by doing the double over Manchester United. You also don't pick up the title because you are in front of United after 36 games." If City really want to be top dogs in Manchester they have to be the best team over 38 games and beat whoever steps in their way. Newcastle will be a tough obstacle to crack but these are the places you have to go and win if you want to be champions.
There was a time when City couldn't buy a win at Newcastle, but since 2007 they have failed to lose at St James'. Emile Mpenza got the ball rolling in March 2007, followed by a 2-0 win in January 2008, courtesy of Elano and Fernandes. A 10-man Newcastle claimed a point in October 2008 as the sides played out a four-goal thriller, only for City to resume normal service on Boxing Day last season, running out 3-1, thanks to a brace from Carlos Tevez and an early opener from Gareth Barry.
St James' Park will be rocking and the atmosphere will be electric, but City will not be daunted by the challenge that lies ahead. They have big game players in their side and they should rise to the challenge. Whether they can stop the goal machine that is Papiss Cisse though remains to be seen.
Will City leave the north east with the title in their own destiny? It's going to be close.
Newcastle United v Manchester City; Kick Off 1.30pm May 6 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
3 |
V |
3 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
Panel Verdict
Manchester City just shade it.
Home: 6; Draw: 12; Away: 14. TBA 4
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear your views.
