Preview: Newcastle United v Manchester City

Following the disappointment of defeat to Everton, the need to start the Christmas period with a win at Newcastle is all the more pressing. It’s unlikely to be easy with Alan Pardew having had a winning start by beating Liverpool last weekend.

The St James’ Park crowd will no doubt add to the pressure on City with a hostile reception for Nigel de Jong following the media fuelled frenzy after his leg-break tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa.