Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on Newcastle's good form: "They always have been [a difficult side] since Eddie Howe took over. They have good form and unbelievable pace. It’s a credit to them.

"We have made some steps backwards compared to the progress made in previous seasons, but we are at home with our people so we will try to do it [win]."

Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on Manuel Akanji: "He will have surgery on Saturday and eight-10 weeks out. It's an adductor injury.

"I just wish him a speedy recovery because the effort he has put in this season has been unbelievable. Him and Nathan [Ake] have played in difficult positions.

"There has been a lack of players in that position and his body has said enough is enough."

Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on how hard it is to keep picking his team up following the Champions League first-leg defeat by Real Madrid: "We've recovered and move forward.

"The next hours and day after are difficult. But they have to be better."

Manchester City

Manuel Akanji is out for "eight to 10 weeks" and will have surgery on Saturday, says Pep Guardiola.

Pep Guardiola is here... he doesn't seem in a talkative mood based on the first answer.

Chris Sutton
BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton

I am at this game for BBC Radio 5 live and there is no way Manchester City are keeping a clean sheet.

In fact, until I realised just how bad Newcastle's record is at the Etihad, I was thinking of backing Eddie Howe's side to win.

City have won the past 10 league games between the two sides here, and my old Blackburn strike partner Alan Shearer got the winner the last time Newcastle took the points at City - in September 2000 at their old Maine Road ground.

That all points to a City win for me, far more than their current form does anyway.

I don't think it will make much difference who City start in goal, because Ederson and Stefan Ortega have both made mistakes this season, but it is going to be interesting to see who Pep Guardiola picks with the second leg of their Champions League tie with Real Madrid coming up next week.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola will be speaking ahead of Manchester City's huge Premier League meeting with Newcastle on Saturday.

With both sides tied on 41 points and battling for Champions League qualification, here's what we expect to hear from the City boss:

• More reaction to City's 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, their latest collapse
• An injury update on defender Manuel Akanji, who is expected to miss at least the next three games with a muscular problem
• Fitness update on Jack Grealish, who was withdrawn during the first half against Real Madrid

• Further explanation about why City's tactics aren't working anymore, as Guardiola said on Tuesday
• Could John Stones reprieve his role in midfield after impressing against Real Madrid?
• Fitness update on Oscar Bobb, who suffered a minor recovery setback last week

It's almost presser time again.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is first up before we hear from the likes of Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, Tottenham's Ange Postecoglou and Aston Villa's Unai Emery.

So what is causing the increase in injury severity?

"There's no magic fix here and that [fixture congestion] certainly plays a big part. The accumulation of fatigue season upon season upon season.

"But then you have this viscious circle, where you're playing players out of position, fundamentally their movement patterns, their decision-making, are all slightly impinged by these different philosophies, formational tweaks that managers are requiring them to play.

"All of these factors are coming in and seeing these injuries and return to play time extend and the severity being worse.

"There are certainly elements of luck. Let's not forget that football is a contact sport, you're going to pick up injuries. Some seasons are going to be better than others.

"When you look at the fact that Tottenham are having additional games in domestic cup and Europe, they've actually had a reduction of around 15% when compared to last season. It's just that injuries have happened to key players in their back-line, especially when we're talking about Ange-ball, so it's become more of a talking point."

Ben Dinnery, founder of Premier Injuries, spoke to BBC Sport's Football News Show about an apparent increase in injuries this season.

When asked how this season compares to previous campaigns in terms of injuries, he said: "Pretty good, surprisingly. The narrative is that injuries are going through the roof this season, but they are actually not.

"In terms of time loss absence we've actaully seen a reduction season on season over the same period compared to 2023-24 by roughly 13%.

"However, contextualising around that, it's the type of injuries [getting more severe] and the length of return to play that is taking a little bit longer.

"When we took the 2023-24 season in isolation, looking at the previous four on average, we've seen an increase in hamstring injuries, certainly at the severe end, by about 65%. By severe we mean hamstring injuries that are likely to keep a player out for more than 30 days. That isn't an outliner, numbers this season are continuing on that trajectory."

Image source, Getty Images

Big news coming out of Germany as Jamal Musiala has signed a contract extension with Bayern Munich until 2030.

The Germany international's previous deal was set to expire in 2026, sparking rumours that Premier League giants Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea were interested in signing him.

"I took my first steps in professional football here and firmly believe we can achieve something big with this club in the coming years. I feel at home both in Munich and at the club with our great fans," Musiala said.

Bayern are currently eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with 13 games left to play.

Bournemouth duo Justin Kluivert (£5.9m) & Antoine Semenyo (£5.7m) could make smart transfers ahead of their trip to Southampton on Saturday (15:00 GMT), especially as the Cherries have a favourable run of fixtures running up to Gameweek 34.

Kluivert and Semenyo are the best options but if budget is an issue then Dango Ouattara (£5.1m) is an excellent third choice.

Over the past four weeks, Kluivert has been sensational, with five goals and two assists. He and Semenyo have both taken 13 shots in that time, but the Ghanaian has three fewer goals.

However, Kluivert's four non-penalty goals have come from a NPxG (Non-penalty expected goals) of just 1.36. If you've watched his highlights, he has scored a few crackers.

Semenyo has two goals from 1.16 NPxG.

The point here is that both are great FPL assets but Kluivert has overperformed his underlying data a little so his production may come down a bit over the course of time.

If you have to pick between the pair, it's a toss-up. Getting both in could pay huge dividends.

With a double gameweek coming up, it makes sense to get in plenty of Liverpool and Aston Villa players ahead of their clash on Wednesday (19:30 GMT).

If you didn't use it last week, a Triple Captain chip on Mohamed Salah could be an option.

And why not get Aston Villa boss Unai Emery in with your Assistant Manager Chip? He has Ipswich at home which should be a victory then a chance for table bonus against Liverpool - who are in the middle of a run of playing twice a week and could be tired.

A Villa win over Liverpool is worth at least 16 points, so you could switch to Emery if you backed Arne Slot with the chip last week.

While we wait for those pressers, shall we give you some fantasy football tips and get a few more of your one true loves?

With it being 14 February and Valentine's Day we've asked you to send in your one true loves. It could be a current player or manager or one from the past.

Let us know via #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply).

We're still waiting to hear from a host of Premier League managers this afternoon. Here's what on the agenda:

• 12:30 GMT: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
• 13:00 GMT: Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou & Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola
• 13:15 GMT: Manchester United's Ruben Amorim & Aston Villa's Unai Emery
• 13:30 GMT: Brentford's Thomas Frank, Crystal Palace's Olivier Glasner, Fulham's Marco Silva and Wolves' Vitor Pereira

All times are approximate and obviously subject to delays!