Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola makes surprise prediction on Newcastle United's Premier League future

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League group C match between Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk at Etihad Stadium on November 26, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

And for that reason the Spaniard believes the Magpies will win their battle against the drop from the Premier League.

Guardiola brings his title-chasing side to St James’s Park today looking to avenge last season’s shock 2-1 loss to Benitez’s United.

He does, however, believe winning on Tyneside is by no means an easy task, as last season, and the one previous proved.

“Obviously, we won 0-1 and last season we lost. It’s a tough test,” said the Manchester City boss.

“It's tough with a new manager but they have good results. I think they will stay in the Premier League. They are physically strong, fast upfront. Their structure is quite similar to under Rafa Benitez.”

Reflecting back on last season, he said: “We forgot to play. We scored a goal and forgot to attack. We learned from that, obviously, but we had a bad, bad day. Everybody understood that and we make a step forward.

“After that, we tried to be who we are. At that moment, I wasn't thinking about winning the Premier League or winning 14 games in a row. That would be a big mistake.”

Linked with the United job in the summer, City coach Mikel Arteta is one of the bookies' favourites to take over from sacked Unai Emery at former club Arsenal.

Speaking about the rumours, Guardiola said: “He is in the squad, he travels to Newcastle.”