Manchester City have certainly found some frightening form after a slightly shaky start to life under Manuel Pellegrini, and are only a point adrift of league leaders Arsenal heading into the weekend. They've won five Premier League games on the bounce, with Newcastle United given the unenviable task of trying to halt their charge on Sunday.
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Newcastle have had a pretty good start to the season themselves, though come into this game on the back of consecutive 1-0 defeats to Arsenal and West Brom in the league. Even so, a surprise victory could see Alan Pardew's side leapfrog Manchester United into seventh place, with the Magpies having lost only a couple of home games in the league so far this season.
However, the hosts are still without Ryan Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini through injury, while full-back Mathieu Debuchy misses out through suspension. First teamers Yohan Cabaye and Tim Krul are both doubtful. City are without star man Sergio Agüero among others, with question marks over the fitness of Yaya Touré and Jesús Navas.
Newcastle United injuries and suspensions
Out: Ryan Taylor (knee), Fabricio Coloccini (knee), Mathieu Debuchy (suspended). In doubt: Yohan Cabaye (calf), Tim Krul (shoulder).
Manchester City injuries and suspensions
Out: Sergio Agüero (calf), Stevan Jovetić (hamstring), Jack Rodwell (hamstring). In doubt: Yaya Touré (ankle), Jesús Navas (knee), Micah Richards (hamstring).
Projected lineups
Newcastle United: Tim Krul; Massadio Haïdara, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Mike Williamson, Davide Santon; Vurnon Anita, Cheick Tioté; Yohan Gouffran, Moussa Sissoko, Hatem Ben Arfa; Loïc Rémy.
Manchester City: Joe Hart; Aleksandar Kolarov, Matija Nastasić, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta; Yaya Touré, Fernandinho; David Silva, Samir Nasri; Álvaro Negredo, Edin Džeko.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. local, 11:05 a.m. ET
Venue: St. James' Park, Newcastle, England
TV: NBC Sports Network, Mun2 (U.S.), TSN2 (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.)