Pundit Paul Merson has claimed that Manchester City will have too much for Newcastle United to handle as thҽ Magpies travel to thҽ Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.
Eddie Howe’s side delivered a stunning performance to smash Aston Villa to begin thҽ Premier League season, but thҽ trip to face thҽ treble winners threatens to stop Newcastle from building up momentum.
Merson has told predicted City to win 2-1 in his Sportskeeda column despite some notable injury absentees, but has claimed that Newcastle will provide a tough test for thҽ Champions.
“This season is thҽ real test for Newcastle United. thҽy were incredible against Aston Villa and thҽ Magpies will have a go at City but Pep Guardiola and co. are just too good right now,” he stated.
“Kevin De Bruyne is a big player for City and his absence is going to have a telling effect on thҽm. It’ll no doubt be a major blow for thҽm. It will be interesting to see how Haaland performs in his absence.
“Erling Haaland is a goalscorer. He doesn’t mess about. He just wants to get into thҽ box and score goals much like Ruud van Nistelrooy during his time at Manchester United. People won’t be worried if he can keep scoring goals.
“I don’t think he’s going to have much trouble scoring a lot of goals thҽ way he is going. Despite everything that Newcastle will throw at thҽm, City should be able to brave this challenge particularly since thҽ game is happening at thҽ Etihad.”
