MANCHESTER:
Manchester Metropolis seem ominously poised to strike within the Premier League title race as Pep Guardiola welcomes again key gamers for Saturday’s journey to Newcastle, whereas Manchester United can ill-afford one other damaging defeat when Tottenham go to Previous Trafford.
Metropolis loved a near-perfect festive interval as they received the Membership World Cup for the primary time in Saudi Arabia after which took most factors from two Premier League video games on their return whereas their rivals stumbled.
The defending champions are 5 factors adrift of leaders Liverpool, however have a sport in hand and are nearing a clear invoice of well being.
Kevin De Bruyne made his return after a five-month harm layoff in a 5-Zero thrashing of Huddersfield within the FA Cup final weekend.
The Belgian even registered an help for compatriot Jeremy Doku, who was additionally again for the primary time since early December.
Erling Haaland can also be nearing a return from a foot harm that has saved the prolific Norwegian absent for Metropolis’s final eight video games.
“Kevin, Haaland, Phil (Foden), these guys win video games — that is why they’re so necessary for us,” stated Guardiola as his squad rounds into form.
After an inconsistent first half of the season, Metropolis can take inspiration within the reality they discovered themselves in a really comparable place 12 months in the past, solely to then go on and win a treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
Nonetheless, Newcastle have misplaced 5 of their final six Premier League video games to tumble right down to ninth within the desk.
An injury-ravaged first half of the season has taken its toll on the Magpies as fatigue set in throughout a marathon slog of fixtures in December.
Tottenham should cope with out captain Son Heung-min who’s off main South Korea’s bid for Asian Cup glory.
However victory for Spurs at Previous Trafford would propel them into the highest 4, on the expense of north London rivals Arsenal, and to inside three factors of the highest of the desk