Premier League LIVE: Previews, team news and manager news conferences

Wissa unlikely to be available

Man City v Newcastle (Sat, 20:00 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe gave a detailed answer on team news, including a new injury to summer signing Yoane Wissa:

"No I don't think he [Wissa] will be available but I don't think he will be far off the Qarabag game. It was a nasty knock in training."

On Bruno Guimaraes, who will miss two months with a hamstring injury:

"No massive updates, he's in Brazil. And judging by the pictures I've seen, which was great to see, he's watching the games and his passion for the team is shining through from afar."

On Tino Livramento, he says: "Tino is making progress but I don't think we'll shave too much time off the early March timeframe he has."

Howe adds updates on Sven Botman and Lewis Miley: "Hopefully better news for Sven Botman, hopefully he can be in and around this game. Miley still has got a bit to go."

'Man City are the benchmark'

Man City v Newcastle (Sat, 20:00 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe on upcoming opponents Manchester City and learning from their three previous meetings with Pep Guardiola's side this season: "Genuinely, I think we learn something more about ourselves and our game going forward every time we play them.

"They have been the benchmark for a number of years for many teams. Each painful defeat we suffer at the Etihad we try to grow from it, evolve and improve.

"They have been very, very good and are led by an outstanding manager. They continue to be the benchmark in my opinion.

"Every time we've played there, I think we've made mistakes big enough to cost us the game. We've been in the games, they've been competitive, but they have been too good for us on a number of occasions and we need to bridge that gap this weekend.

"Every team you play is beatable. That gives us hope [that we have beaten them before] and the evidence is there that we can win the game. We have to do everything right, tactically, physically. We've done it before and if we turn up we know we can do it."

'Relationship with players very important'

Man City v Newcastle (Sat, 20:00 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was also asked about the images of him being pushed towards the fans by his players after the recent victories, which followed a poor run of results: "It's not something I'm necessarily asking for, I have to say. It's very spontaneous.

"It's always about the players, for me, and I am there to support them. I treat my relationships with the players very seriously. It has to be built on respect.

"I want to improve my relationship with all my players at all times and I think the only way I can do that is working for them, investing in the person, and I have a big responsibility to help them - in good times and bad times."

'A late night'

Man City v Newcastle (Sat, 20:00 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe on the team's recovery after travelling back from Azerbaijan: "It was a late night for us, roughly a 4am return, actually maybe a bit later.

"So sleep was an issue but I think a good night's rest for them last night and another sleep to go so hopefully by the time the game comes around we'll be OK.

"Hopefully a lot of positives come out of the last few away wins. Three tough games in their own right but the performances have been really good and the individual performances have been a lot stronger. Collectively we've been much better."

'Delighted with Gordon'

Man City v Newcastle (Sat, 20:00 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon, who scored four goals in the midweek 6-1 Champions League win at Qarabag: "Every player has a preference on positions. He'd probably prefer to play down the middle and lead the line because you have much more freedom.

"Ant has really good qualities in that position, especially his pressing intensity and understanding of when to do it is at the highest level.

"I was delighted with his performance. Great thing for him [to score 10 Champions League goals]. Sometimes these things happen in one competition and I'm sure he'll want more goals in other competitions.

"But the Champions League has certainly got the best out of him and long may it continue."

From winless in five to targeting fourth-straight win

Man City v Newcastle (Sat, 20:00 GMT)

Following their 6-1 thrashing of Qarabag in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off tie in midweek, Newcastle are seeking a fourth consecutive victory following a five-match winless run in all competitions.

That won't be an easy feat to achieve, of course, with Manchester City very much in the hunt for the Premier League title after seeing leaders Arsenal throw away a 2-0 lead to draw with bottom club Wolves on Wednesday night.

Victory over Tottenham in their previous league game ensured Newcastle sit in the top half of the standings and keeps European football within reach with less than a third of the season remaining.

Tight at the top...and bottom - how the table stands

All times in GMT

Premier League

Here's a reminder of how the Premier League table stands.

Arsenal are top with 58 points having played a game more than second-placed Manchester City on 53 points.

City have the chance to reduce that gap down to two points when they host Newcastle United in Saturday's late game (20:00).

The Gunners, meanwhile, travel to north London rivals Tottenham, led by new interim boss Igor Tudor, for Sunday's final game (16:30).

The relegation battle is also intensifying.

West Ham, in 18th, have the chance to move level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest when they host Bournemouth on Saturday (17:30).

But Vitor Pereira will be hoping to inspire Forest to victory in his first Premier League game in charge - they could leapfrog Tottenham into 16th place with a win at home to Liverpool in one of three kick-offs at 14:00 on Sunday.

Good morning

Welcome to another busy Friday, packed with Premier League news conferences.

There is a glut at lunchtime, starting with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola (from 12:30 GMT), who will face the media for the first time since leaders Arsenal dropped points at Wolves.

Before then, we can look forward to Newcastle manager Eddie Howe (09:30), whose Magpies travel to City on Saturday fresh from their midweek mauling of Qarabag.

We will also hear from the Brighton and Bournemouth managers this morning, as well as Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, following the Eagles' 1-1 draw at Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar in the Conference League.

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