- Three or four goals have been scored in four of Manchester City's last five
- Newcastle have seen three or four goals scored in each of their last three matches
- Recommended bet: Total Goals: 3-4

Newcastle fell to their first defeat of the season at Craven Cottage last weekend, but they will be hard-pressed to rebound from that setback when the reigning Premier League champions visit St James' Park on Saturday.

Visitors Manchester City maintained their spot at the top of the table thanks to a late equaliser against Arsenal last weekend, but they did suffer a potentially season-defining injury in that clash.

Team news

Alexander Isak shook off a minor knock to start at Craven Cottage, but Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Lewis Miley and Callum Wilson remain sidelined for The Magpies.

Midfield mainstay Rodri suffered what is thought to be a season-ending knee injury against Arsenal last weekend, while Oscar Bobb is out for at least a couple more months and Nathan Ake will not be back until late October.

Kevin De Bruyne missed Arsenal's visit, but he could return in time to face Newcastle.

The stats

Three or four goals have been scored in four of City's last five competitive games, while Newcastle have seen three or four goals scored in each of their last three matches.

The Citizens have won four of their last five meetings with Newcastle.

City's last five league fixtures this season have averaged 3.6 goals per game and Erling Haaland has netted a Premier League-leading 10 goals in five appearances this season

Prediction

An incredible 98th-minute equaliser from John Stones kept City at the top of the Premier League table last weekend.

However, their achievement was overshadowed by a serious knee injury to Rodri and Saturday's trip to St James' Park will be the first time we see how his absence may impact the defending Premier League champions.

Pep Guardiola's side were in action in midweek, but the Spaniard made a raft of changes for Tuesday's 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Watford and a vastly different team is expected to run out in the north east.

That midweek win continued an interesting trend, though, with it being the fourth time in five competitive matches that either three or four goals were scored.

Newcastle, who lost for the first time this season last weekend, also played their part in a four-goal game at Craven Cottage, with that being their third successive match in which three or four goals were scored.

City's league fixtures this season have averaged 3.6 goals per game, and backing three or four goals to be scored again looks a good choice.

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