Manchester City is not the powerhouse it was in previous years, as is evident from its current league position (fifth) and the number of league defeats (seven). After the shocking end to their Champions League playoff match against Real Madrid and a 3-2 loss at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola has no choice but to navigate his team through the narrow “Manchester channel”. Chelsea suffered a heavy defeat in Brighton on Friday night, giving Guardiola’s men a chance to move up to fourth place with a win, securing a Champions League spot. However, the same applies to Newcastle, who are level on points with City and could leapfrog both them and Chelsea with a victory. All this promises an exciting match in Manchester. Despite City winning their dispute with the Premier League—after sponsorship regulations enforced between 2021 and 2024 were declared invalid—they still need to prove on the pitch that they haven’t declined significantly.Man City win a court case against Premier LeagueGuardiola has hinted that City will have to make some tough squad decisions in June. The weaknesses in the squad were most evident in their 5-1 thrashing by Arsenal in London. Guardiola believes his team has lost physicality, making it difficult to compete with increasingly fit Premier League sides.”Do you think we can compete with a physically strong Newcastle? At the end of the season, the team, myself, and the club will make the necessary decisions to avoid what has happened this season—with injuries and many other issues that needed addressing. We must do everything to ensure we don’t go through another season like this and instead get closer to the level we were at before,” said the City boss, adding that he will carefully decide who will travel to the U.S. tour and the Club World Cup in June.Let’s look back at some memorable moments against Newcastle at the Etihad ⏮️What better place to start than with this @elanoblumer rocket? 🚀 pic.twitter.com/20uqjQYkTA— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 14, 2025 The Spanish manager also took a swipe at Premier League leaders Liverpool, who, after drawing 2-2 with Everton, can no longer surpass City’s all-time points record as champions.”We are the ones who hold all the records in England. Who could reach 100 points in modern football? I’m waiting. Or our four titles in a row? I’m waiting, and you have to play clubs like Bournemouth, Fulham, and Wolves. We set the standards. Have you seen Liverpool this season? They can’t reach 100 points. They can get to 99, but not 100,” Pep added.Biggest spenders in the January transfer window: The unlikely 10Still, Guardiola admitted that his team has declined compared to their rivals, though he attempted to explain part of the issue.”I asked Gündogan yesterday, ‘You were here two years ago, then spent a year in Barcelona, and now you’re back—have you noticed changes in the Premier League?’ He told me the changes are massive, the difference is incredible. That’s true. Teams are much better in all aspects; people are more prepared. We can’t cope with injuries. Many players are exhausted due to high playing minutes and emotionally drained. But we deserve to have a bad season too. To not be like before. They are human beings, it happens. We haven’t been consistent, and the players haven’t been at their best. For the first time, it’s happening to me and some of the players, but we have to accept it and understand that what we had before was not normal. Additionally, I can accept suffering when the opponent has the ball. But now we suffer even when we have possession—that never happened before, and I can’t change it. We suffer because we are human,” concluded Guardiola.Premier League chose this battle. Manchester City responded by declaring war. Our legal team came out on top pic.twitter.com/IjQE0V9onZ— Real Talk Manchester City (@RealTalkMCFC) February 14, 2025 City will go into the clash against the Magpies further weakened, as Manuel Akanji will be out for ten weeks. The availability of Jack Grealish and Nico González is uncertain, while Rodri and Oscar Bobb remain sidelined. As for Newcastle, Eddie Howe’s team has recorded seven wins and two losses in all competitions since the start of the year. They won back-to-back matches in two cup competitions but previously lost 2-1 away to Fulham. They played to a 1-1 draw against City at home in late September. The Magpies will also be incomplete—though Howe is hopeful that Dan Burn and Anthony Gordon could be fit in time for kickoff. Harvey Barnes will have to wait a bit longer for his return, as will Joelinton. Every player will be valuable to Newcastle in the coming weeks, with the League Cup final approaching—a match that could define their season.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 25Friday Brighton – Chelsea 3-0 (2-0)/Mitoma 27, Minteh 38, 63/Saturday 15.30: (10.0) Leicester (5.20) Arsenal (1.37)18.00: (1.42) Aston Villa (4.60) Ipswich (7.50)18.00: (2.25) Fulham (3.45) Nott.Forest (3.45)18.00: (1.95) Man.City (4.10) Newcastle (3.70)18.00: (6.00) Southampton (4.30) Bournemouth (1.53)18.00: (2.40) West Ham (3.75) Brentford (2.90)20.30: (1.90) Crystal Palace (3.50) Everton (4.60)Sunday 17.00: (1.20) Liverpool (8.00) Wolverhampton (14.0)19.30: (2.50) Tottenham (3.75) Man.Utd. (2.75)***odds are subject to change***
