Man City v Newcastle preview

Bianchi: Injured

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Prediction:
Man City 1 Newcastle 0

One to watch: Martin Petrov

Sky Bet odds: Man City 10/11 Draw 9/4 Newcastle 5/2

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Manchester City will be without Rolando Bianchi for the visit of Newcastle United, who are missing Michael Owen.

The match, live on Sky Sports 1, pits two of the top five together, while victory for the home side would see City draw level at the summit with Arsenal, albeit for potentially just a few hours.

Sven Goran Eriksson will ring the changes for the game following his side's 1-0 win over Norwich City in the Carling Cup in midweek.

Bianchi, who started that game, has picked up a groin injury and misses out, so Emile Mpenza is likely to play as the lone striker.

Georgios Samaras' match-winning contribution against The Canaries is expected to see him dropped to the bench, with Martin Petrov coming back into the team.

Eriksson should also restore Vedran Corluka, Micah Richards and Javier Garrido to his defence, with Michael Johnson and Dietmar Hamann coming back into midfield.

Elano should return as the link man between midfield and attack, while Darius Vassell and Valeri Bojinov are still sidelined.

Kasper Schmeichel will replace Joe Hart in goal as Andreas Isaksson, who was on the bench against Norwich, is still feeling the effects of an ankle problem.

Owen missing

Former England coach Eriksson has admitted that he considered a bid for Owen in the summer, but the striker will not be able to demonstrate what the Swede missed out on.

Owen has been sent for a groin operation and is likely to be out for three weeks, although Mark Viduka should return to the Newcastle attack after missing the Carling Cup defeat to Arsenal.

Shola Ameobi picked up a groin complaint at Emirates Stadium, so Obafemi Martins is likely to partner Viduka up front.

Steve Harper is set to replace Shay Given in goal, with Sam Allardyce conceding the Irish keeper is unlikely to be happy with being left on the bench for Premier League games.

Geremi and Nicky Butt should come back into the side after being on the bench at Arsenal, while Emre made a substitute appearance in that game.

Joey Barton expects to make his debut for Newcastle in a week's time, while Peter Ramage, Stephen Carr, Damien Duff and Celestine Babayaro are still injured.