The Premier League’s two unbeaten teams meet at the Etihad Stadium with Newcastle desperate to maintain their positive start to the season against table topping Manchester City.

A summer of spending has paid off for manager Roberto Mancini with his multi-million pound squad soaring to the top of the table where they’ve established a five point lead over rivals United. 10 wins from 11 games and 39 goals have made City early favourites for the title and they’ll be supremely confident of extending their lead against Newcastle on Saturday. They were pushed to the wire against QPR before the international break and needed the divine intervention of Yaya Toure to secure a 3-2 win at Loftus Road. The loss of Vincent Kompany to suspension destabilised the back four and debutant Stefan Savic looked way out of his depth alongside Joleon Lescott at the heart of City’s defence. The 20-year-old’s shaky display could prompt Mancini into giving Kolo Toure his first start in just under a year after his six month ban for failing a drugs test. Mancini has a big decision to make over his team selection with several of his stars away on international duty and he could choose to tinker with his side to ensure victory over a Newcastle side that boasts the meanest defence in the league. The form of Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko has given him a dilemma as to which player starts up front whilst Sergio Aguero is expected to return from a groin injury giving the Italian another headache. Despite the selection quandaries Mancini’s men enjoy playing against the Magpies having avoided defeat against them in their last nine meetings.

This is a different Newcastle United to the one they beat twice last season with Alan Pardew transforming the side into a stubborn and uncompromising machine. They’re unbeaten in 14 games stretching back to last season and have remained undefeated in their opening 11 games for the first time since 1994/95. A summer of discontent has been followed by what feels like an indian summer on Tyneside with the team performing above expectations sending a feel good factor flowing around the city. However that was brought to a stuttering halt after owner Mike Ashley decided to rename St James’ Park last week with the famous ground now going by the name of the Sports Direct Arena. It’s an issue die hard Geordie haven’t taken well too and there are fears that the clash between board room and supporters could once again undermine the players efforts on the pitch. Heading to the home of the league leaders will require every ounce of black and white support as they aim to come away victorious from the Etihad Stadium for the first time since September 2000 – a run of eight games. Pardew goes into the game with doubts over the fitness of key players Yohan Cabaye, Cheick Tiote and Leon Best who all picked up injuries against Everton before the international break. It will certainly be a huge test with Magpies keeper Tim Krul and back four ever presents Danny Simpson, Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor and Ryan Taylor facing up to the leagues highest scorers.

Manchester City – 1st

Last Five

Won 3-2 v QPR (A), Won 3-0 v Villarreal (A), Won, 3-1 v Wolves (H), Won 5-2 v Wolves (A), Won 6-1 v Manchester United (A)

Potential Starting X11

25. J. Hart 2. M. Richards 15. S. Savic 6. J. Lescott 13. A. Kolarov 34. N. De Jong 18. G. Barry[C] 21. D. Silva* 7. J. Milner 16. S. Aguero 45. M. Balotelli

Injury News

Mancini can expect to have Aguero back from a groin injury but it’s looking likely that midfielder Samir Nasri will miss out after picking up a knee injury.

Key Player

David Silva - What a storming start to the season Silva has had in his second campaign in the blue half of Manchester. His graceful gliding around the field, feather light touch and mind boggling arsenal of flicks and tricks have encapsulated the Premier League this season. His clever use of the ball and defence splitting passes will be vital to unlocking a stern Newcastle rearguard.

Match Fact

City have tasted defeat only four times at the hands of Newcastle in the Premier League since 2002/03 winning seven times in their last 16 meetings.

Newcastle – 3rd

Last Five

Won Everton 2-1 (H), Won 3-1 Stoke (A), Lost 4-3 v Blackburn (A), Won 1-0 v Wiga (H), Drew 2-2 v Tottenham (H)

Potential Starting X11

26. T. Krul 5. D. Simpson 2. F. Coloccini [C]* 27. S. Taylor 16. R. Taylor 8. D. Guthrie 4. Yohan Cabaye 24. C. Tiote 18. J. Gutierrez 19. D. Ba 20. L. Best

Injury News

Key midfielder Yohan Cabaye could could return after going off mid-way through the first half against Everton whilst there are also concerns over the fitness of Leon Best and Cheick Tiote. Gabriel Obertan has an outside chance but Sylvain Marveaux will definite miss out

Key Player

Fabricio Coloccini - Not everyone’s first choice for the captaincy when Pardew handed him the armband but the Argentine has shone in what has been Newcastle’s best start to a season in 17 years. Coloccini has been a rock alongside Steven Taylor and his organisational skills and reading of the game will be key to halting a rampant City attack and keeping their tag as the league’s meanest defence.

Match Fact

Newcastle have been superb on the road this season winning three and drawing two of their away games this season but they haven’t fared well in the blue half of Manchester. The Magpies have failed to win on their last eight visits to the blue half of Manchester but will go into this game optimistic of avoiding defeat.

Last Time at the Etihad Stadium

Premier League 3rd October 2010

Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle

Tevez, 18 (pen)

Johnson, 75

Gutierrez, 24

Attendance: 46,067

Referee: Martin Atkinson

PREDICTION

City are unrepentant at the moment and the sheer size of their squad means Mancini will be able to call upon a number of fresh faces to face the Magpies who are struggling with injuries to key players. With the likes of Silva and Aguero in the ranks it’s unlikely Newcastle will be able to resist the home sides undoubted attacking class. Without Cabaye in the midfield Pardew’s side will be shorn of creativity which is something that Danny Guthrie will tasked with providing. However with Gareth Barry and Nigel De Jong providing protection to the defence this could be a lost cause for the Geordies. There is no doubting they’ll give it a right old go though!

Score: 2-1

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