Newcastle's upcoming fixture against Manchester City to be crucial for club's ace midfielder

Newcastle United, coming on the back of a disappointing performance against Fulham, would face Manchester City in their upcoming home fixture. Although, as has been Newcastle United's performances so far, it might be easy to predict the winner of the fixture; however, some recent events have turned the game to be much more enthralling.

Newcastle's upcoming fixture against Manchester City to be crucial for club's ace midfielder

Man City, while facing Arsenal in the much anticipated PL fixture, faced a major setback as they got their star midfielder, Rodri, injured. The Ballon d'Or nominee, who was starting his first Premier League fixture of the season, had to be subbed off in the 21st minute, and as is being reported, the defensive midfield ace is out for the season, having got an ACL injury.

While this definitely finds in the better interest of Newcastle, as Rodri, having the caliber to change the course of the game single-handedly, could have been crucial for Man City, Rodri's absence poses a serious problem for the Magpies club. As has been the Spanish midfielder's repute for the club, imagining the Man City lineup without him would be difficult for Pep, and he might consider replacements.

However, in the whole scenario, the concerning part for Newcastle is the fact that Pep rates Magpies' captain, Bruno Guimaraes, among the few names he feels could replace Rodri. Not to forget, Manchester City had come in to sway Guimaraes this summer; however, due to concerns over the star midfielder's £100 million release clause, Pep's side halted.

Another reason why the Etihad Club didn't advance in the Brazilian ace midfielder's deal was that already having stars like Rodri and Kovacic, they didn't feel the need to go for the central midfielder. But now, the scenarios have changed completely, and with their star midfielder Rodri injured, the club even might go all-out for Bruno Guimaraes.

Considering this pre-match setup for Newcastle's upcoming game against Manchester City, it is certainly clear that it could be a decisive fixture for the Magpies captain. Moreover, what spices up the game is even more that Guimaraes, who hasn't been in the best of form recently, would be trying to deliver a brilliant performance, knowing that his Newcastle spot might be at risk in the same.

Overall, the upcoming Newcastle Vs Manchester City fixture is going to be crucial for both clubs, especially Newcastle. While on one side, Eddie Howe would want Bruno to shine to his best, he wouldn't want Man City to raid his captain. Although the fixture is a few days away, the intensity of the tussle between the two clubs has started feeling on.