Sunday, December 26
Newcastle United v Manchester City
St James' Park
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT
TV: Highlights, BBC1 Match of the Day
Tale of the game
City squandered the chance to go into Christmas at the top of the tree after losing 2-1 at home to Everton on Monday night.
That was City's first defeat in eight Premier League games, but they remain in third place and can put pressure on neighbours and leaders United with a sixth away win of the season.
City won 2-1 against Newcastle in October with Adam Johnson stealing a 75th minute winner.
Alan Pardew leads Newcastle for only the second time after their game at Birmingham was postponed just three hours before kick-off last Saturday.
He can recall Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini to central defence but Sol Campbell is doubtful and Ryan Taylor, Hatem Ben Arfa and Dan Gosling are all sidelined.
City will be without Kolo Toure at St James' Park after the defender was sent-off at Eastlands on Monday. His place could go to Micah Richards or Joleon Lescott.
Newcastle are at home on Boxing Day for the first time since 2001; in the subsequent eight years they have played away and have failed to win, losing five and drawing three.
City, meanwhile, are away on Boxing Day for the first time since 2006 and are unbeaten on the day since 2005.
This season: City 2 Newcastle 1. Last season: N/A.
Stat of the game: City are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games, home and away, against Newcastle, winning six and drawing two.
Betting tip: City can win; a 2-1 away victory is 8-1.
Newcastle United (probable, 4-4-1-1): Krul; Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique; Barton, Guthrie, Tiote, Gutierrez; Nolan; Carroll.
Manchester City (probable, 4-4-1-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Richards, Kompany, Kolarov; Milner, Y Toure, Barry, Silva; Balotelli; Tevez.
Referee: Chris Foy. Matches: 13. R0 Y28.
Read more: Sport
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