It may be early days in the new Premier League season but there’s a familiar name at the top of the table. Manchester City lead the way with two straight wins and Pep Guardiola’s men are one of just two sides with a 100% record at this stage.
On Sunday at 4.30pm, City will face their toughest test to date when they take on a Newcastle United team who are also unbeaten. Eddie Howe’s Magpies have four points from two and are expected to challenge for the Champions League places after heavy investment in the club. It promises to be a fascinating encounter but what do the bookies make of it? This preview will analyse the EPL match and conclude with betting tips suggestions.
After that perfect start, Manchester City are heavy favourites to take all three points as well as the overall EPL title. The away win is available at 1/3 in most places. The draw is next up at 17/4 while victory for Newcastle is out at best industry odds of 17/2.
With the Magpies enjoying home advantage, it’s tempting to look at a positive result for Howe’s side. Newcastle’s campaign began with a 2-0 home win over Nottingham Forest before a 0-0 draw away to Brighton.
Manchester City have that perfect start following a 2-0 win away to West Ham United and a 4-0 home victory over Bournemouth. Those results tend to back up the bookies’ opinion but these are early stages and Newcastle are a better side than their returns suggest.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland opened his Premier League account with two goals in his side’s opening win over West Ham. In contrast, the Norwegian international was subdued as City eased past Bournemouth by four goals to nil, but he is an obvious favourite to open the scoring.
Haaland leads the first goalscorer market at 5/2 while his teammate Julian Alvarez is next at a best of 9/2. Manchester City players dominate this bet with Riyad Mahrez at 7/1 and Kevin de Bruyne at 7/1 among the other options. Newcastle United’s first name in this market is Callum Wilson who scored in the Magpies’ opening day win over Nottingham Forest. Wilson is quoted at a top price of 19/2.
In other side bets, Both Teams to Score is on offer for Sunday’s game at a top price of 10/11. If you think there will be a shutout on either side, a ‘no’ bet on BTTS would return at best odds of evens.
In the Total Combined Goals markets, a stake Over the 2.5 line is currently met with odds of 4/7 in places. If we push that to Over 3.5, the figures climb to 6/4. If you’re expecting a low scoring 90 minutes, there is a top price of 7/5 attached to Under 2.5 goals.
This preview will round off with some suggestions from the Correct Score market and, if you’re expecting a comfortable 90 minutes for Manchester City, the 3-1 away win is quoted at a general 11/1. A 2-1 scoreline in favour of Newcastle United is listed at 25/1 while the 2-2 draw will be a tempter at 20/1.
Our NUFC vs MCFC Betting Tips Verdict for this EPL Match Preview
It certainly is tempting to look at that draw: Newcastle finished last season strongly after spending the early weeks of the campaign in the relegation zone. They’ve not exactly impressed at the start of 2022/23 but new arrivals will settle and the Magpies should be threatening the European places.
While it’s early days, it’s interesting to note that neither side has conceded a goal in their first two matches. Defences should be put under greater pressure on Sunday and we suspect things will be different this time.
For that reason, we’ll start by backing Over 3.5 goals. Manchester City’s attack has hit their stride and they could convert on their own but we expect Newcastle to contribute.
One man who has yet to find the net is City’s Riyad Mahrez. In the regular absence of a recognised striker last term, the attacking midfielder was the main source of goals. He’ll have to wait behind Erling Haaland this season but Mahrez is due and he looks generous at odds of 11/5 to score at any time.
This preview is edging towards that draw but it’s always dangerous to bet against Manchester City these days. With so many more options in the market, we’ll stay with these two betting tips. Pep Guardiola’s men may well edge it but they should receive more of a test in what promises to be an entertaining 90 minutes.
- Go over 3.5 goals at 6/4 with Bet365.
- Riyad Mahrez to score at any time at 11/5, also best with Bet365.
Matt Harris is a football writer for Just Bookies. Other sports in his portfolio of specialities include golf and cricket. Matt has contributed to innumerable large organisations and media brands. These include: Betfair, BetVictor, USA Betting & Unibet. 