A big week ahead for Manchester City.

With Barcelona awaiting in the Champions League in midweek, a comfortable home win against Newcastle would be just what the doctor ordered.

Manuel Pellegrini's men haven't been doing a lot comfortably in recent weeks mind...

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

"There has been a mix of sunshine and showers at Etihad Stadium so far today but the bad news for Chelsea after their result today is that there is nothing very changeable about Newcastle's Premier League form against Manchester City - the Magpies have not beaten City in their last 16 league games.

"You have to go back to September 2005 for the last time Newcastle came out on top, when Graeme Souness was in charge and Michael Owen, who partnered Alan Shearer up front, got the winner.

"Including caretaker and interim bosses, Newcastle are on to their 11th manager since then - will John Carver have more luck than his predecessors?"

I'm sure Manchester City's players will be well aware of Chelsea's 1-1 draw at home to Burnley. The gap between the leaders and City will be five points with a victory this evening. They can't afford to waste opportunities like this if their Premier League crown is to be retained.

BBC Football analyst Mark Lawrenson on City: "I think one of the biggest problems this season is that defender Vincent Kompany has been awful. He's made some strange defensive decisions. Is he the same bloke? Doesn't look like it.

"Midfielder Samir Nasri hadn't scored a league goal this season until recently and neither had Jesus Navas. Look at Chelsea and City. Blues can play poorly and win, but City can't. I think we'll see new striker Wilfried Bony this weekend."

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

"Yaya Toure's face is on the front of the Manchester City programme and a significant number of t-shirts and scarves in the souvenir shop and the much-missed midfielder is also back in action on the pitch today for his first Premier League game since New Year's Day.

"New £25m striker signing Wilfried Bony, who like Toure is available for the first time since returning from helping Ivory Coast win the Africa Cup of Nations, starts on the bench.

"With Bony waiting in the wings, now would probably be a good time for Edin Dzeko to end his 15-game wait for a City goal. He is up front with Sergio Aguero and Stevan Jovetic does not make the squad."

Opta Joe:, external 5 - Yaya Toure has scored five goals in his last six Premier League appearances against Newcastle. Return.

Scrap that, Ben Mee levels for Burnley. You could hear the cheers from Manchester. Chelsea are now drawing 1-1 with Burnley. Slight chance for City then?

Chelsea are leading Burnley 1-0 with 20 minutes to go but are down to 10 men. If that stays the same, City are 10 points off the leaders.

Yes, today's the day Manchester City's £25m signing from Swansea, Bony, should make his debut after returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty along with Yaya Toure.

They certainly need something to breathe new life into their Premier League campaign. Chelsea beware.

Bony is on the bench for City and Toure starts. Edin Dzeko up front with Sergio Aguero.

Image source, Reuters

Just two wins in seven league games. No victories in their last three games in all competitions. Seven points behind leaders Chelsea before the weekend's fixtures.

Time for Manchester City to call on the cavalry then, and what a cavalry it is...

Welcome to the Premier League champions Wilfried Bony and welcome back Yaya Toure.