The Premier League's form team roll up to St James' Park this Sunday afternoon (KO 14:05) for what should be a mouth watering encounter. The Magpies are tasked with trying to stifle a Man City attack currently firing on all cylinders; Pellegrini's men having put six past West Ham in mid week. Particular attention should be given to Alvaro Negredo, who is proving why City have the strongest squad in the league. The Spanish forward has bagged five goals since strike partner Sergio Aguero pulled up injured in mid December. City have found a consistency in recent weeks that alluded them for the first half of the season. They have notched up three wins in their last four games away from home and sit in second place in the league, one point behind leaders Arsenal. They will take comfort from the fact that they have already beaten Newcastle twice this season, home and away, and have emerged winners in the last eight encounters between the two sides. In contrast to City, Newcastle come into Sunday's game on the back of three successive defeats. The current run has put the brakes on their fine pre-Christmas form and their charge for European football has faltered slightly. However, they were only narrowly defeated at home to Arsenal and their away win against Man Utd earlier this season proves that they are more than capable of mixing it with the league's elite clubs. The Magpies have struggled for goals of late and Pardew will be hoping Loic Remy can rediscover his scoring touch against the Citizens. The striker already has ten league goals to his name this season but has failed to find the net since Boxing Day. With Yohan Cabaye reportedly fit again and ready for action, Newcastle fans will be hoping their French imports can combine and reproduce the fine football they were treated to earlier this season. Click "next" below for the Key Battle & Likely Line-Ups...
