Newcastle vs Manchester City preview: What time is kick-off, what channel is it on and where can watch it

Everything you need to know about the Premier League clash at St James' Park

Andros Townsend is congratulated by Jonjo Shelvey after his goal against Swansea City (Getty)

It’s a big game for…

Andros Townsend: As with Jonjo Shelvey, the one-time England man was brought into much fanfare in January but has failed to have a dramatic influence on their fortunes. Consolation efforts in drubbings at Chelsea and Southampton represented the sum of the former Tottenham’s man’s showings prior to Saturday’s clincher against Swansea.

The winger will hope to trouble a Manchester City side riding high on reaching the last four of the Champions League but who could rotate players ahead of next week’s first-leg meeting with Real Madrid.

Weird /best stat…

Newcastle are bidding to win successive matches for only the second time in 17 months. It is also six months since the Magpies last kept successive clean sheets.

City have scored 34 goals in their last 10 league games against Newcastle (conceding just four) and have not lost to the Toon Army since 2005.

Remember when…

The most recent meeting of these sides witnessed a Premier League record being equalled – Sergio Aguero becoming only the fifth player to score five in a Premier League match.

Aleksandar Mitrovic put the visitors in front at the Etihad before a devastating spell of six goals in 20 minutes either side of the break – Kevin De Bruyne adding to Aguero’s quintet – demolished Newcastle’s hopes.

Player to watch…

Sergio Aguero: The Argentine is a delight to watch on form and scored his second treble of the campaign in Saturday’s win at Chelsea. Hampered by injury at times, the diminutive forward has scored five in five and has 10 career goals against Newcastle.

Recent matches have seen him linking up well with Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and any chance of a home win in this fixture will depend on keeping these two quiet and apart.

Past meetings…

Manchester City 6 (Aguero 5, De Bruyne) Newcastle 1 (Mitrovic)
Premier League, October 2015

Manchester City 5 (Aguero pen, Nasri, Dzeko, Silva 2) Newcastle 0
Premier League, February 2015

Manchester City 0 Newcastle 2 (Aarons, Sissoko)
League Cup, October 2014

Form guide…

Newcastle: LLDLLW

Manchester City: LWDWWW

Vital information…

Kick-off: 7.45pm BST

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1