Timing could be right for Newcastle in big test at Man City

LONDON : Newcastle United face the first big test of their Premier League title aspirations on Saturday but the trip to champions Manchester City could be coming at the right time for the table-topping Magpies.

The late kick-off at the Etihad will be City's fourth game in two weeks and follows Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup penalty shootout win over Sevilla in the sapping heat and humidity of Athens.

Pep Guardiola's side are also without influential Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, ruled out for up to four months after suffering a hamstring injury in the season-opening 3-0 win at Burnley.

"Thank you so much to the Premier League for letting us play on Saturday, and not on Sunday and Monday," Guardiola said sarcastically of the 72-hour turnaround from Wednesday's game. "Thank you so much".

United are meanwhile well-rested and still fizzing after their 5-1 home thrashing of Aston Villa on the opening weekend sent the Saudi-owned side top of the standings on goal difference.

The two clubs drew 3-3 at St James' Park last August on their first meeting of that season but Abu Dhabi-owned City won 2-0 at home in March on their way to the treble.

Newcastle have yet to win a Premier League match at The Etihad but the arrival of Italy's Sandro Tonali has boosted an already strong midfield featuring Brazil internationals Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

Guimaraes explained on a Brazilian podcast last month how much he has hated playing City in the past, so good were their players.

"It's the worst game when we play there. I hate it. It seems that we are children and they are professionals. It's horrible," he said.

"It feels like they're playing with 15 and we're playing with seven. You look and say, 'Wow, it looks so blue!'. They're all crazy