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What to watch for: Newcastle United vs. Manchester City

By Roy Emanuel

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Matt Ritchie of Newcastle United and team mates celebrate after the final whistle during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on December 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Matt Ritchie of Newcastle United and team mates celebrate after the final whistle during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on December 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /
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“There we were, now here we are.”

For any Premier League club, a significant period of time without a win can certainly bring about frustrations. After a 3-2 victory at West Ham this past weekend, Newcastle United and manager Rafa Benitez will feel a sense of major relief.

The holidays hopefully brought joy to you all, and the Magpies will aim to keep those good feelings going in the North East tomorrow evening against first-place Manchester City. Kick-off is set for 7:45PM local time, and will undoubtedly provide the home side with the season’s greatest test.

United’s triumph at the London Stadium featured fantastic attacking play, but it will be interesting to see if fans witness anything similar against Pep Guardiola’s team.

City enter coming off a 4-0 thrashing of AFC Bournemouth, and boast an amazing 17-game winning streak.

Their front-line with Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling will put immense pressure on the Newcastle defence, and it would be easy to understand Benitez going with an extremely conservative approach.

In order to gain any type of positive result, the Magpies will have to be in top form.

Forwards and options in the midfield

The duo of Dwight Gayle and Joselu have been able to produce bright moments in the final third lately, and one would expect that partnership to continue. The key selections will likely be found in the middle.

Mohamed Diame and Henri Saivet started in the midfield, and each scored a goal versus the Hammers. However, against City they may not be as effective.

Injuries will have an impact also, as Benitez attempts to organise the best possible team.

This is a match that the squad should use as a way of measuring themselves, and fatigue for some will be important to monitor as well.

Next: Newcastle United targeting Dimitri Oberlin for January

Manchester City are being called by many the dominant club in Premier League history. Could that reputation take a hit with a loss at Newcastle United? That would be a wonderful late Christmas present for the Toon Army.