Mark Lawrenson reveals grim scoreline prediction for Newcastle United's clash against Manchester City

Newcastle United face the unenviable task of taking on a wounded Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this evening, as Pep Guardiola's side look to produce a response to their shock weekend loss to Southampton.
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The Citizens have built a reputation for following humbling losses with emphatic victories - their 8-0 drubbing of Watford to avenge an early season loss to Norwich City, for example - and will be looking to unleash their frustrations on the Magpies in tonight's game.

Writing his midweek predictions for BBC Sport, pundit Mark Lawrenson opted for a 3-0 victory for the 2018/19 Premier League champions.

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Explaining his choice, Lawro chose to focus on City missing the injured Sergio Aguero, and claimed: "Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus is good, but he's not as good as Aguero.

"Of the two, Jesus is probably the better player outside the box but the Argentina striker might have made the difference for City in Sunday's defeat by Southampton because he is so deadly in front of goal."

He continued: "City desperately need Aguero to be back fit if they’re to go all the way in the Champions League this season, because there’s just no comparison between him and Jesus when it comes to guile and finishing.

"I don't think it will matter too much against Newcastle, mind. City will create a lot of chances, like they did against Saints and I don't see Steve Bruce's side keeping them out."

A win for Newcastle could see them move as high as tenth in the table, as seasons approaches its final few matches.