Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wary of ‘difficult’ Newcastle test as EPL title race heats up

LONDON – The English Premier League does winter breaks like no other competition, so the action will keep coming thick and fast this weekend to take off the chill of January.

Unlike other European leagues where clubs get a sizeable chunk of time off around December and January – most notably the three-week stoppage in the German Bundesliga – the English top flight churns on in relentless fashion.

All 20 clubs do get a little breather as the 21st round of fixtures is split over two successive weekends.

Although with the FA Cup third round occupying the first week of January, together with replays and the League Cup semi-finals, the schedule is still full.

The title race will certainly not be going into temporary hibernation this weekend with champions Manchester City travelling to out-of-form Newcastle United on Jan 13 with the chance to cut leaders Liverpool’s advantage to two points.

The Reds are not in action until next weekend, when they travel to Bournemouth.

But City manager Pep Guardiola is, as usual, not getting ahead of himself.

“It always has been difficult, especially since (Newcastle manager) Eddie Howe took over,” he said.

“We have faced each other many times when he was at Bournemouth and now at Newcastle. We have a good history together.”

On the title race, he added: “We are only five points behind, it is statistically possible.

“Is it realistic? At the moment, it’s far away so I don’t know. Right now Liverpool are playing unbelievable, they are back having their best moment in many years.”

City’s Club World Cup commitments mean they have played only 19 games to Liverpool’s 20 and should they beat Newcastle, it will gear up to be a compelling scrap for the title over the coming months.

Guardiola will fancy his chances, as City have scored in each of their last 30 Premier League games against the Magpies, which is the longest scoring streak one side have over another in the competition’s history.

Furthermore, they have won more games (30), scored more goals (98) and kept more clean sheets (22) against Newcastle than any other opponent.

The visitors have also beaten City only once in their last 32 league matches – a 2-1 home win in 2019 – and lost 26.

On paper, it will be a lopsided battle and to make matters worse for Howe’s men, Kevin de Bruyne’s return in the FA Cup win over Huddersfield Town last weekend was a further tonic for Guardiola, and the Belgian is ready to start.

Erling Haaland and John Stones are still out injured for City, while Jack Grealish is a doubt due to illness.

Newcastle’s top-four challenge has faded badly with five defeats in their last six league games as injuries and fatigue have seen them fall to ninth place, 11 points shy of fourth-place Arsenal.

The Magpies will miss the likes of Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson, Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Javier Manquillo and Joelinton.

However, Newcastle currently have the third-best home record in the league. They have 24 points from 10 games, just behind Aston Villa (28) and Liverpool (26).

There will also be a feisty west London derby at Stamford Bridge on Jan 13 with Mauricio Pochettino’s 10th-place Chelsea hosting 13th-place Fulham – both teams lost in the first legs of their League Cup semi-finals in midweek.

The Blues suffered a shock

1-0 defeat by Championship side Middlesbrough,

while the Cottagers fell 2-1 to Liverpool.

However, before Chelsea can dream of revenge in the second leg and a potential trip to Wembley, a third consecutive Premier League victory – following wins over Crystal Palace (2-1) and Luton Town (3-2) – will be the priority.

“Of course we are disappointed with the last game but I saw the players today, very good spirit,” said Pochettino.

“We saw Fulham’s last game against Liverpool, they are doing really well. We need to keep the belief. I think we are confident. I am so sure we are going to do a very good job.” REUTERS