Manchester City play hosts to Newcastle this weekend as they look to replicate last season’s winning streak that won them the title.
At this stage last season, Manchester City had seven points from three games with a Raheem Sterling last-minute winner defeating Bournemouth to kick start the 18 game winning streak that put their rivals in the shade.
Newcastle at home will be an easier challenge than last week’s fixture against Wolves, particularly as the north-east side are facing a difficulty of their own.
Fans are protesting against the owners, reports of two key players fighting in training and the lack of decent signings have led pundits predicting Newcastle to be a relegation candidate, especially if Rafa Benitez leaves due to his transfer frustrations.
To make matters worse is that Manchester City has a good record against the ‘Toon’ with one player bringing a fright to the Newcastle’s defenders.
Sergio Aguero has a phenomenal record against the club with his goalscoring record being most fruitful against any other opponent, with 14 in 12 games. A hat-trick in the same fixture last season and five goals in the 2015/16 season shows the Argentine is likely to be the one scoring this weekend.
He seems a certainty to feature from the start but it will all depend on the formation that Guardiola chooses; the 3-5-2 formation against Huddersfield seemed to work well with Gabriel Jesus forming a good partnership up top.
However, due to the fact Newcastle are likely to line up with four at back, City will likely replicate the formation seen in the away games, the 4-1-4-1 or 4-1-2-3 formation.
I predict Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane will be starting in the wider positions in support of the front man. They will provide width and stretch the back four or five as the opponents will likely to sit deep and wait for the counter-attack.
It will give a chance for Sane to redeem himself after coming on and losing possession at every opportunity last weekend. The young German has yet to be given his chance from the kick-off and will be looking to get over his World Cup disappointment.
Behind them will be Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva and Fernandinho sitting just behind. The familiarity will be key in that middle of the park as they look to control the game.
Along with the selection of Ederson, the fullback choice is the most straightforward on the team sheet. Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy will likely to be supporting the wingers and the forward more in this game than chasing towards their own goal.
The centre backs are intriguing choices with Vincent Kompany and Aymeric Laporte starting the last two fixtures. My choice will be to replace John Stones for the captain after he had a woeful first-half performance against Wolves, with his passing accuracy not matching Stones’ ability.
Whatever Pep chooses City fans will have confidence that there will be three points taken ahead of the international break.