Wolves have a corner now as Daniel Podence's shot is blocked by the head of Thiago Silva.

It was a good run from Raul Jimenez to start that move.

Couple of early Chelsea attacks. First of all Reece James is flagged offside as he pops up and has a shot saved in the box - and now a corner.

The games are on, off we go at Molineux and St James' Park.

Wolves' entrance music is an absolute banger, by the way. Keep on Rising by Ian Carey. If that doesn't get you pumped, nothing will.

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Wolves are defensively strong and hard to break down.

I watched Wolves play against Man City and they were organised from front to back. Everyone knew their positions.

It was a case of "come and try to break us down". Playing from experience they're some of the worst games to play in because you can't just beat the front two. As a collective they all work hard together.

Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports, says: "It's about winning the game. Newcastle are fighting to get results but it's an opportunity to win the game.

"You can always play better. We have excellent players and they all have to perform well as there are people waiting [to come in] in every position."

Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports, says: "When you come up against an opponent like this you have to focus on your processes and your organisation.

"Against Liverpool in the second half we competed really well and the game could've gone either way.

"We need to get the supporters involved. We can't sit back, we need to show we're here to compete and have fire in our performance. If we do that, the supporters will be behind that."

On his team selection, Howe says midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is out "as a precaution after muscle tightness", right-back Javier Manquillo has "illness, but not believed to be Covid", while winger Allan Saint-Maximin is only on the bench after picking up a calf injury against Liverpool.

Mike Minay
BBC Radio Manchester

Manchester City have enjoyed playing Newcastle in the Premier League, with just one top-flight defeat in the last 15 years.

But, with everything that has happened as St James' Park with their takeover, you know that the quality of the Magpies is only going to improve. So, as selfish as it might be, enjoy this one.

Newcastle's new owners haven't had a transfer window yet, once they do they'll only become stronger.

Manchester City are building momentum. Relentlessly taking apart Leeds United in midweek. And we saw it too against Manchester United, Watford and Everton in recent weeks.

Sadly, there may be another reason to enjoy this one. With rising Covid cases of course you never know when the next match might be. As, like me, during the pandemic and after, appreciate what it means to be with fans and how much they mean to football. Win, lose or draw.

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on Football Focus

Jack Grealish has done OK so far, he'll definitely get better.

We know he's a top player. He's on the low side with his assists and goals but that will improve. He's gone to the best club he could have gone to.

Manchester City

Manchester City's Jack Grealish chats to Dion Dublin about the best Christmas present he has ever received, and why he was "half fuming" one Christmas morning.

Watch below.

Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had a scare after returning an inconclusive Covid-19 test on Friday and unable to take training.

City also had to cancel the manager's pre-match news conference which was due to take place on Friday lunchtime.

But the follow-up PCR test came back negative later in the day and the Spaniard is free to take charge of the side as normal today.

Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Three points today would also mean Manchester City are top of the Premier League on Christmas Day. They have previously done so in 2011-12 and 2017-18 and went onto win the title in each campaign.

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on Football Focus

Kevin De Bruyne is just class isn't he? He just sees things on football pitches that no other player sees.

He's the best midfield player in the world.

Everything about him, he's two footed, everything he does leads to goals. He's world class.

Shaka Hislop
Former Newcastle goalkeeper on BBC 5 Live

A 90% Kevin de Bruyne is so much better than so many other players 100%. So even when he's not as his full self he has so much impact on the game.

He's one of the best in his position in the world.

I'm fearing the worst for Newcastle here. It's a tough old run. Coming into January you want to give yourself something to build on.

Can we apply to get this game called off?

Manchester City

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Manchester City's seven-match winning streak in the Premier League is the longest current run in the division. They have scored 20 goals and conceded just three during this period.

Victory on Sunday will mean City become the first side to register 34 top-flight wins in a calendar year.

Losing streakpublished at 13:35 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2021

13:35 GMT 19 December 2021

Newcastle v Man City (14:00 GMT)

Newcastle United

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe has lost all 10 games against Manchester City - the longest 100% losing record of any Premier League manager against the same opponent.

This will go down as the result of the season if Newcastle manage to get anything from the game today.

Newcastle United

Image source, Getty Images

If Newcastle fail to beat Manchester City today, they will spend Christmas Day in the relegation zone for the first time in Premier League history.

The hosts have conceded a joint league-high 75 Premier League goals in 2021. It is the most top-flight goals the Magpies have conceded in a calendar year since letting in 78 in 1966.

Manchester City

Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez, talking to Sky Sports, says: "It's always good to play. We have plenty of confidence and we feel good.

"To play every three or four days for me personally is good. We always have to stay focused and be very clinical and try to take each game seriously.

"It will be a tough game, away from home, and Newcastle need points so it will be a good battle."

Dion Dublin
Former Manchester United striker on Football Focus

Newcastle put up a good show against Liverpool. Eddie Howe has certainly improved them.

I think they're going to have Champions League results from January to April just to stay in the league.

They've got to get the right players in mentality wise. They've got to stop losing games.

Managed to put together a starting XI of players who have played for both Newcastle and Manchester City in the Premier League...

Wolves

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"He is a motorcycle! It's almost impossible. Nobody can handle this pace."

When a manager of Pep Guardiola's gravitas says that about a player, then you know they are special talent.

That is how the Manchester City boss described Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore after seeing him score against his side for the third time in the 2019-20 season.

Traore hit a double against the then Premier League champions in a 2-0 win at Etihad Stadium and again in a 3-2 win at Molineux, with City unable to handle his strength and speed.

Both were memorable displays in a campaign where Traore was at his peak. He finished the season with nine assists and four goals and was touted to be worth £70m.

Since then, however, his impact has waned and 17 games into this season he has yet to register a single goal or assist.

With 18 months left on his contract and the January transfer window looming, could Wolves be tempted to cash in on the winger, or does he still have a future at Molineux?

Read the full piece