'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has predicted a 2-2 draw in Manchester City's Premier League clash against Newcastle United at St. James' Park on January 13.
The Cityzens are third in the league standings with 40 points on the board from 19 games. They trail leaders Liverpool by five points, with a game in hand.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are ninth with 29 points from 20 matches. Eddie Howe's team's league form is far from impressive as they have won only one of the last five games, losing the other four.
Berbatov predicts that City will do their usual thing while the Magpies will look to put on an impressive performance in front of home supporters. He thinks the scoreline could be similar to last season when the two teams played out a 3-3 stalemate at St. James' Park.
Berbatov, however, claimed that the game might be different, writing in Betfair:
"That's an interesting one. I want Newcastle to win, but I don't think that's going to happen. At the same time, City need to win because dropping points isn't a good thing. I'll go for a big surprise and say a draw."
Berbatov added:
"You never know with Newcastle or Man City. Man City will play the way they play, that'll never change. Newcastle, at home, with their fans going crazy to support their team, the players feel that and try to go and score goals."
He concluded:
"There is a possibility to see something similar to last season's 3-3 draw at St James' Park, but maybe we won't witness quite the exact the same game."
As for Manchester City's league form, Pep Guardiola's side have won three of their last five matches, losing one, and drawing another.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirms that Erling Haaland won't play against Newcastle
Manchester City's talismanic striker Erling Haaland has been out of action since early December due to a stress reaction of the bone. He has missed nine games since December 9.
Haaland won't play against Newcastle as well, Pep Guardiola has confirmed. Speaking about the Norwegian's availability at St. James' Park, the Spaniard said in a short yet definitive manner (via Manchester City's website):
"No."
Before picking up the injury, Erling Haaland was once again City's leading attacker. The towering striker has scored 19 goals and has provided five assists in 22 appearances across competitions this season.
