Michael Brown
Former Manchester City midfielder on BBC 5 Live

The desire seems to be there from City. They want to play passes, crisp and quick. And it has been a good start, they seem their old selves.

Raheem Sterling makes one of those quick sprints into the box and the ball almost bobbles into the middle for Gabriel Jesus but Ciaran Clark slides in to intercept.

Newcastle then try to break quickly through Allan Saint-Maximin on the left. He darts inside as St James' Park roar with excitement, but his shot lacks power and it's an easy save for Ederson low to his right. Positive run though!

Benjamin Mendy's cross is blocked on the left and when it comes out to Ilkay Gundogan, he hits it first time from long range.

Comfortable all the way for Martin Dubravka. Nothing too exciting just yet.

Kevin de Bruyne tries a quick give and go with Raheem Sterling on the edge of the box but the England international can't bring it under control.

Newcastle are flat back. This could be a long day of chasing shadows...

Straight away Man City are in the opposition half. Ilkay Gundogan strings a few passes together before Kevin de Bruyne lifts one over the top, looking for Riyad Mahrez.

It's a decent ball and he heads it back into the six-yard box, but not before the offside flag goes up.

Off we go! Will there be an upset up north?

Saj Chowdhury
BBC Sport at St James' Park

It's frosty but sunny inside St James'. There was some chat in the media room about how a combination of Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden will try to stop City's midfield.

We'll soon find out.

Leon Osman
Former Everton midfielder on Football Focus

They need to concentrate on the league for a little bit. Through injuries and circumstances Manchester City have let Liverpool take a healthy lead. Maybe this is the first time when they can capitalize in the next month - Liverpool have an extra game with the Super Cup so Manchester City might have a chance to shorten the gap.

Idezou Frank-Sampson: Two wins, and pressure off! Two defeats, (potentially) and pressure on! Steve Bruce need to make it three and Magpies fans will love him.

The teams are lined up in the tunnel.

Here's a reminder of how they set up.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

BBC Radio 5 Live

You can listen to live commentary of this match at St James' Park. Just click the icon at the top of this page.

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking on BT Sport: 'Every journalists reminded us about last season when we lost here, but you need to remember also the days when we won.

'Here it is always tough, it is a mythical English stadium.

On Aguero's absence: 'Gabriel Jesus is ready to take responsabilty, we know him since three years and we don’t have any doubts about him'

Real Madrid are currently drawing 0-0 with Alaves. Wales international Gareth Bale started. You can follow that game here.

There's also Championship action today - Charlton Athletic v Sheffield Wednesday is up first.

Blast from the past!

Kevin de Bruyne has just curled a peach into the top left corner during the warm-up...

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: "I know we cannot lose games but I'm not thinking about winning the Premier League right now.

"We have to get close to Leicester first of all and then, after that, Liverpool. The target, when you play every three days, is the next one."

Image source, Rex Features

Pep Guardiola is chilling in the dugout during the warm-up, like he always does. His team really need a win today.

They are nine points behind leaders Liverpool, who face Brighton at 3pm. A victory over Newcastle would move City up into second place, with Leicester not playing until tomorrow.

Mark Scott
Match of the Day commentator

While Frank Lampard is exceeding expectations at Chelsea, his opposite number is falling well short of what West Ham were aiming for this season.

And while Manuel Pellegrini says "he never discusses the future with the club's owners", a difficult chat will surely be incoming if their poor run continues much longer.

Pellegrini is not the only Hammer in the spotlight though, with under-fire keeper Roberto in danger of the chop following his shaky showings.

Lampard's main selection issue revolves around replacing Tammy Abraham after a midweek hip injury, while his other concern will be making things a lot tighter at the back than they were in Valencia.

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce: "Very quietly, we've done okay at Liverpool, we did okay at Chelsea, we've beaten Manchester United and we've beaten Tottenham, so we are capable.

"That's the Premier League. The one thing we are going to have to be is at our best. We're going to have to play to our maximum and hope that that's good enough."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and West Ham's Declan Rice, who are best mates, are going head-to-head at Stamford Bridge today.

So it's a perfect excuse to remind you of this video. Classic!