Newcastle v Manchester City Betting Tips [19 December 2021]

Newcastle United will play host to champions Manchester City in the 18th round of matches in the Premier League. The two sides are on opposite ends of the league standings ahead of this game, and are coming from very contrasting outings. City are top of the league table on 41 points, while Newcastle are second-last on 10 points. Hosts Newcastle have had a torrid season so far, with just one win in the league, against Burnley. They go to this game on the back of a 3-1 loss to Liverpool, their third loss in the last five matches. In those five matches they have only led at half time in one. They’ve failed to score twice in the five matches and in three of them, they’ve conceded two or more goals.

Manchester City thrashed Leeds United 7-0 in the run up to this game. It was their second straight clean sheet and a seventh straight win in the league. The result saw them edge closer to Liverpool as the second-best attacking side, with 40 goals in 17 matches. Here they face one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, and also the side with the most porous defence, having conceded 37 goals in 17 matches. A win for City should be a guarantee here. City have four straight wins over Newcastle United and have scored in both halves of their last five meetings with the Magpies. Going to this game, they have scored in both halves of three of their last five league matches.

Manchester City have done well in their recent matches and they don’t seem likely to relinquish their lead, at least not this weekend. They are facing a struggling side, whose only win in the league was against a struggling side, Burnley. In their shape coming to this game, we are backing City to win both halves.