LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Newcastle United face the first big test of their Premier League title aspirations on Saturday but the trip to champions Manchester City could be coming at the right time for the table-topping Magpies.
"Thank you so much to the Premier League for letting us play on Saturday, and not on Sunday and Monday," Guardiola said sarcastically of the 72-hour turnaround from Wednesday's game.
Newcastle have yet to win a Premier League match at The Etihad but the arrival of Italy's Sandro Tonali has boosted an already strong midfield featuring Brazil internationals Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
Guimaraes explained on a Brazilian podcast last month how much he has hated playing City in the past, so good were their players.
Liverpool are overwhelming favourites to win their first home league game of the season against Bournemouth on Saturday, a side they thumped 9-0 at Anfield last August to equal the Premier League record.
Persons:
Pep, Kevin de Bruyne, Guardiola, Abu, Italy's Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Guimaraes, Erling Haaland, KANE, Harry Kane, Ange Postecoglou, Cristian Romero, Jurrien Timber, Mikel Arteta, Luton's, Vincent Kompany, Alan Baldwin, Ken Ferris
Organizations:
Newcastle United, Premier League, Manchester City, Magpies, Etihad, UEFA Super, Sevilla, Burnley, Aston Villa, Saudi, St James, City, Newcastle, Brazil, City's, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Spurs, Bayern Munich, Brentford, Arsenal, Crystal, London, Chelsea, West Ham United, Sunday, Fulham, Jurrien, Bournemouth, Anfield, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brighton & Hove Albion, Everton, Kenilworth, Thomson
Locations:
Athens, Belgium, Abu Dhabi, Joelinton, Argentina, Liverpool