MANCHESTER:
Manchester City appear ominously poised to strike in the Premier League title race as Pep Guardiola welcomes back key players for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle, while Manchester United can ill-afford another damaging defeat when Tottenham visit Old Trafford.
City enjoyed a near-perfect festive period as they won the Club World Cup for the first time in Saudi Arabia and then took maximum points from two Premier League games on their return while their rivals stumbled.
The defending champions are five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, but have a game in hand and are nearing a clean bill of health.
Kevin De Bruyne made his return after a five-month injury layoff in a 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield in the FA Cup last weekend.
The Belgian even registered an assist for compatriot Jeremy Doku, who was also back for the first time since early December.
Erling Haaland is also nearing a return from a foot injury that has kept the prolific Norwegian absent for City’s last eight games.
“Kevin, Haaland, Phil (Foden), these guys win games — that’s why they’re so important for us,” said Guardiola as his squad rounds into shape.
After an inconsistent first half of the season, City can take inspiration in the fact they found themselves in a very similar position 12 months ago, only to then go on and win a treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
However, Newcastle have lost five of their last six Premier League games to tumble down to ninth in the table.
An injury-ravaged first half of the season has taken its toll on the Magpies as fatigue set in during a marathon slog of fixtures in December.
Tottenham will have to cope without captain Son Heung-min who is off leading South Korea’s bid for Asian Cup glory.
But victory for Spurs at Old Trafford would propel them into the top four, at the expense of north London rivals Arsenal, and to within three points of the top of the table
