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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Liam Wood

Paul Merson agrees with pundits over Newcastle vs Man City score prediction

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team will be gunning to maintain their winning start to the Premier League season vs Newcastle on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm).

After beating West Ham on the opening day - with Erling Haaland grabbing both goals - City swept aside newly-promoted Bournemouth in their subsequent fixture. However, opponents Newcastle have also started the season impressively with four points from two games.

Eddie Howe and his Saudi-backed squad have yet to concede a goal this campaign, but will that still be the case come Sunday night? We look at how three high-profile pundits think this one will play out;

READ MORE: Guardiola dismisses City advantage

Chris Sutton - BBC Sport

Writing in his latest BBC Sport column, pundit Sutton said: "There will be a top atmosphere at St James' Park and Newcastle might create one or two chances for Callum Wilson. I can only see a Manchester City win here, though, they have not really put a foot wrong so far.

"Lots has been made of how few touches Erling Haaland had against Bournemouth, but he still made one of them count with his pass to Ilkay Gundogan for their opening goal. If the opposition focus on stopping Haaland, then it's going to leave space for their other attacking players and we already know how dangerous they are."

Score prediction: Newcastle 1-3 Manchester City

Paul Merson - Sportskeeda

Sharing his prediction for Sportskeeda, Merson added: "Newcastle have made a solid start to the Premier League season, but I don't see anything other than a Manchester City win. Eddie Howe will look to make it hard for their opponents with a plan to hit them on the counter-attack, but Pep Guardiola and his team should still get all three points here to continue their perfect start to the new Premier League campaign.

"Erling Haaland enjoyed a Premier League debut to remember with two goals against West Ham, but then he had only eight touches of the ball against Bournemouth and completed a meager two passes. The Premier League is a different game, but I have no doubt in my mind that he'll score bundles of goals for Manchester City.

"When he has space to run into, his electric pace comes into play and he's also an unbelievable finisher as we saw against West Ham."

Score prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Manchester City

Mark Lawrenson - Paddy Power

In his new role with bookmakers Paddy Power, Lawrenson continued: "Newcastle have started well and they have Nick Pope to thank for earning the point last week but City, at the moment, just look imperious, don't they? It will be interesting to see how Newcastle set up, there's no doubt they've improved and are improving but I expect City to win this game."

Score prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Manchester City

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