Betting Tips: Man City vs Newcastle

Rafael Benitez's side have lost three of their last four matches and their defensive approach should mean plenty of action after the break

Manchester City face Newcastle in Saturday's final top-flight game. Pep Guardiola's side remain odds on favourites to retain their title with bet365's latest Premier League odds making them a 4/6 (1.67) shot.

The home side are just 1/10 (1.10) to return to winning ways having drawn their last outing against Wolves. Unsurprisingly, that price is the shortest of the Premier League coupon this weekend by some distance.

A draw is priced at 8/1 (9.0) and the Magpies are huge outsiders at 20/1 (21.0) to win their first match of the season.

Kevin De Bruyne and Claudio Bravo remain side lined with long term injuries while Danilo is also expected to be absent.

Jonjo Shelvey and captain Jamaal Lascelles missed the clash with Chelsea with the latter potentially set for a comeback at the Etihad Stadium.

Benitez made plenty of changes for the midweek defeat to Nottingham Forest but did call upon the likes of Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon as second half substitutes. Matt Ritchie sat the game out with a knee injury although the midfielder is likely to back in contention here.

City won 16 of their 19 home league games last season and with Newcastle in poor form it's understandable to see them at such a short price. Furthermore, the hosts are unbeaten in 21 top-flight games against the Magpies, winning 18 of those.

This venue has been a tough trip for Benitez's side in recent years too, they've lost each of their previous nine visits, conceding 32 goals and scoring just six times.

Sergio Aguero is just 2/5 (1.40) to score anytime. The Argentina international has 14 goals against Newcastle, a record for goals against an opponent for a single club.

Newcastle set up in a staunch 4-5-1 formation at home to Chelsea last weekend and frustrated the Blues early on, so it's reasonable to expect a similar approach here from Benitez.

While the Magpies need points, being too adventurous too early isn't likely to be on the agenda and that suggests punters might have to wait a while to see the bulk of the goals.

In Manchester City's home league games last season, they scored 21 times in the first half of matches and on 40 occasions after the break. Guardiola's men also conceded just five times in the opening 45 minutes and nine goals in the second period.

bet365 are 20/21 (1.95) about the second half being the highest scoring and that looks a solid selection given Newcastle's likely attempts to frustrate the home side.