MANCHESTER CITY
Hart
Zabaleta, K Toure, Kompany, Clichy
Y Toure, Barry
Silva, Tevez, Milner
Aguero
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Elliot
Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Taylor, Santon
Tiote, Gutierrez
Marveaux, Sissoko, Gouffran
Cisse
Roberto Mancini has a host of players returning from injury and is expected to make several changes from the 2-0 defeat at Everton on March 16.
Vincent Kompany is set for a return to the starting line-up after playing for Belgium during the international break, while Yaya Toure should return after illness. Sergio Aguero is also likely to make his comeback.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, have a trip to Benfica next Thursday and Alan Pardew could rest some key players, although Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), Fabricio Coloccini (back) and Tim Krul (ankle) are out, while Yohan Cabaye (groin) is still a doubt.
DID YOU KNOW?
A win for Manchester City will make it their seventh consecutive Premier League victory over Alan Pardew’s men.
City have beaten Newcastle 14 times in the Premier League; only against Aston Villa (18 times) have they won more.
Yaya Toure has scored more league goals (three) against Newcastle than against any other Premier League side.
City have dropped seven points in their last seven league games at the Etihad Stadium, having only dropped six in the previous 36.
With 31, the Magpies have used more players in the top flight than any other side.
Newcastle have picked up just eight points on their travels this season; only Reading (five) have registered fewer.
Pardew’s men are the worst victims of late goals, having conceding 15 in the last 15 minutes of league matches; more than any other side.
The Magpies’ last – and only – win in the city of Manchester came against City at Maine Road in September 2000.
Prediction
The international break is over and it’s back to business in the Premier League, but Newcastle have other endeavours on their mind and it could prove costly for this match. Alan Pardew’s men will have one eye on Thursday's Europa League quarter-final against Benfica, while City will be desperate to perk up their fading title challenge.
Editor's Prediction
Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle United
