Sutton ‘especially’ tips £12m ace to make Newcastle ‘awkward’ vs Man City

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Chris Sutton tips Eddie Howe to make Newcastle United an ‘awkward’ side for Manchester City. He also feels Nick Pope returning from his one-game ban will ‘especially’ cause issues.

The Toon travel to the Etihad Stadium this Saturday for a 12:30 kick-off. They lost their last Premier League game at home to Liverpool 2-0 and also saw Pope earn a straight red card. Referee Anthony Taylor gave their goalkeeper his marching orders for an obvious handball.

Pope scooped the ball to deny Mohamed Salah a clear goalscoring opportunity after failing to intercept Allison Becker’s long pass. It meant the 30-year-old had to sit out the Carabao Cup final with Manchester United last Sunday. Loris Karius started the 2-0 loss in his place.

Pope has been one of Newcastle’s most important and consistently impressive performers so far this season bar the red card. He has produced a myriad of vital saves through his 28 appearances in all competitions. He has also kept 16 clean sheets to only 16 goals allowed.

Newcastle have kept the Premier League’s best defensive record this term thanks to Pope, as well. No team has conceded fewer than the 15 goals the Magpies have let in. Pope was in the net for each of the goals over all 23 games. He has started in all of their fixtures yet.

Chris Sutton hails Nick Pope’s return ahead of Newcastle visiting Manchester City

Manchester City will produce a real test for Newcastle and Pope’s defensive record when Howe’s squad faces Pep Guardiola’s team. No club has scored more goals in the top-flight so far this season than the Citizens. They have hit home 64 in 25 games and let in just 25.

But Sutton expects Howe to set Newcastle up to frustrate Manchester City, while Pope’s return is a huge boost. The Magpies’ £12m signing from Burnley last June has already shut out Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal this season. The Toon and Citizens drew 3-3.

“I do like the way Magpies boss Eddie Howe sets his team up and they will be awkward opposition at Etihad Stadium, especially with Nick Pope back in goal,” Sutton wrote in his column for BBC Sport. But I still think Manchester City will win.”