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Paul Merson speaking as Eddie Howe’s team are set to play at St James’ Park once again, after a four week gap.
Having so far picked up ten points from a possible fifteen, as well as progress in the Carabao Cup.
On Saturday, Newcastle United are home to Manchester City.
The former Arsenal player speaking, with now Eddie Howe approaching his sixth Premier League start of the season with Newcastle United.
Paul Merson discussing the possibilities for Newcastle United in this match at St James’ Park and indeed for the overall season ahead.
Paul Merson talking to Sportskeeda ahead of Newcastle United v Manchester City:
“This is a massive game for Newcastle at home., especially since they had a bad result last time around at Fulham.
“Before that trip to Craven Cottage, You’d have looked at the table and thought they’re decent with 10 points from four games.
“But it truly seems like an oversight now; I predicted them to lose against Fulham and that’s exactly what happened.
“Honestly, if we analyse Newcastle game-by-game, they’d have no points because they haven’t been good enough.
“They were well beaten by Fulham in the end, it was just a matter of time.
“If they play like that against Manchester City, they are going to get destroyed.
“Now if that happens, suddenly, they have a problem.
“Newcastle’s next three fixtures are away at Everton, Brighton and Hove Albion at home and Chelsea away – that’s not an easy run.
“That could end up looking like a really bad run, if they continue to play like this.
“Manchester City will miss Rodri. He’s the player who knits everyone together. I don’t see his absence becoming an immediate problem for City in the next few fixtures. But certainly, over the course of 50 games this season, it will take a toll.
“Pep Guardiola and company should be fairly comfortable here, though.
“I predict an easy win with a clean sheet.
“Prediction: Newcastle United 0 Manchester City 3”
So is Paul Merson on the money here?
Well, Manchester City are certainly capable of beating any opposition 3-0, so maybe lightning could strike twice for Paul Merson in getting predictions correct on Newcastle United.
However, the last three visits to St James’ Park have seen Manchester City draw 3-3 (after trailing 3-1), lose 1-0. Then win 3-2 in January when Newcastle were down to their bare bones, trailing 2-1 and very late on, thanks to the quality of the likes of Kevin De Bruyne off the bench, the Belgium international scoring on 74 minutes and creating a brilliant winner for Bobb in added time.
As for more recent times when it comes to Newcastle United…
Nobody is pretending Eddie Howe’s side have been at their best so far this season but to say they have deserved to lose every match is… hysterical.
You can say Newcastle United ‘could’ have lost all their matches if chances had been taken by the opposition and NUFC hadn’t taken theirs, but that is the case with any team pretty much.
On the balance of decent chances created and various other stats, Newcastle haven’t deserved to lose any of their matches, apart from Fulham. Even then, despite being terrible in the first half, Newcastle played alright in the second, scored a really good goal and if Schar had scored that easy chance or squared it for Isak to tap into an open goal, I don’t think United would have lost that one either, indeed may have won. Not saying we deserved to do so but that would have been the reality.
Newcastle United have played well in spells but gone missing as well, especially in the middle part of games.
All teams can go through these patches of poor/indifferent performances and no reason why Eddie Howe’s team can’t bounce back to form in the near future, maybe Saturday.
These past 32 months and 54 home matches in domestic competitions, Newcastle United have only lost six of them at St James’ Park. Three defeats to Liverpool, one each to Arsenal and Forest, then that one in January against Man City. You have to go back to 2021 for the last time Newcastle United lost any home match by a three goal margin.
Maybe a game like this will prove ideal for Eddie Howe’s team, where they are the underdogs and Manchester City big favourites to win.
No reason why Newcastle can’t give them a good game and if playing like they have in the last three of these fixtures at St James’ Park, plenty of room for optimism.
Newcastle United upcoming match schedule, confirmed to end of November:
Saturday 28 September 2024 – Newcastle v Man City (12.30 pm) TNT Sports
Tuesday 1 October 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (To be played at St James’ Park)
Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)
Sunday 27 October – Chelsea v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports
W/C Monday 28 October – AFC Wimbledon or Newcastle v Chelsea
Saturday 2 November – Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Sunday 10 November – Forest v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports
Monday 25 November – Newcastle v West Ham (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 30 November – Crystal Palace v Newcastle

 
