Newcastle – Manchester City. Mark O’Haire’s prediction

Man City’s title hopes may have been over form some time but the Citizens secured a place in the Champions League semi-finals last midweek and leapfrogged Arsenal into third this weekend to cap off a superb week.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men are enjoying a three-game winning and head to Newcastle on Tuesday night hoping to extend that impressive streak. History is certainly on City’s side as they’ve recorded 12 successive Premier League wins on the spin against the Toon, as well as a W16-D2-L0 record dating back over 10 years.

Newcastle haven’t beaten City in the league at St James’ Park in eight games (D1 L7), dating back to 2005. The hosts have shipped at least two goals in the last 15 head-to-heads with their Sky Blue visitors, leaking three or more goals in seven of the most recent 10 duels.

The Magpies gave boss Rafa Benitez the birthday win which he so desperately craved after registering a comprehensive 3-0 victory at home to Swansea on Saturday – the first win in five games since the Spaniard arrived at St James’ Park.

The valuable victory means the Toon are now just three points adrift of safety but without back-to-back triumphs since December and boasting the division’s second worst defence behind beleaguered Aston Villa, recording maximum points here looks a tough assignment.

History and form favours short-priced Man City to make it 13 wins on the spin against Newcastle. However, a rejuvenated Toon Army are likely to put up a real fight and I’d fancy the hosts to score for the sixth successive home game in an ultimately fruitless excursion.