Newcastle United are still in search of their first Premier League victory of the season but face a tough test against Manchester City.
Head-to-head
Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren never lost to Manchester City in eight games against them as Middlesbrough boss and he will be hoping that this run continues.
The Magpies haven't enjoyed much success against Manchester City, with them winless in 17 league meetings, losing 15. In the same fixture last season, Newcastle were on the end of a 5-0 defeat.
However, the Magpies did beat City 2-0 in the Capital One Cup last season, their first win at the Eithad Stadium in 12 attempts.
Newcastle still in search of first league win
It has been a tough start to the season for Newcastle United and to life as Magpies boss for Steve McClaren, with them just one-point above bottom of the table Sunderland, and without a league win this season.
Only once in their history, in 1898-99, have they failed to win any of their opening eight league matches. In that campaign, they actually went 10 games without a victory but still avoided relegation.
There was reason for optimism after their 2-2 draw with Chelsea last weekend.
It looked as though the Magpies would record a morale-boosting victory over the Premier League champions, after Ayoze Perez put Newcastle in front in the first half before Georginio Wijnaldum doubled their lead in the 60th minute.
However, Newcastle conceded twice in the final 11 minutes which denied the Magpies a first league win of the season.
Further improvement needed
It was a much improved performance by Newcastle, however problems still remain and a further improvement is needed if they are going to trouble Manchester City.
Newcastle have conceded goals in all but one of their league games this season, the exception a goalless draw at Manchester United. At the other end of the pitch, Newcastle are the joint-lowest scorers in the top-flight, with five goals from seven matches.
McClaren needs to rediscover the winning mentality at Newcastle, they have won just three of their 26 matches in 2015 and have not won away from home since January.
However, a win and a big performance against Manchester City would certainly boost the morale and confidence at St. James' Park and could give the Magpies' season a much-needed kick-start.
The opposition
Manchester City will be itching to get back to winning ways in the league and reclaim top spot.
Manuel Pellegrini's side have lost back-to-back league games. Their 4-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend came after a 2-1 home defeat to West Ham United.
City have conceded six goals in their last two league games, compared to just four in the previous 11 fixtures.
However, they bounced back with a last-gasp victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, thanks to an injury-time penalty from Sergio Aguero.
Cracks may have started to appear in their last two league games, after a club record 11 wins on the bounce, but they are a team that consists of many quality players who can cause Newcastle problems.
Team news
Midfielder Jack Colback is a doubt after picking up a hamstring strain in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea last weekend. Cheick Tiote has returned to training following a knee injury and could be in contention.
Winger Gabriel Obertan (hamstring) is out and joins defenders Massadio Haidara (knee), Steven Taylor and Paul Dummett (both hamstring), midfielder Rolando Aarons (calf) and strikers Papiss Cisse (back) and Emmanuel Riviere (knee) on the sidelines.
Manchester City will be without captain Vincent Kompany and key midfielder Yaya Toure. Kompany is not yet fit to return from a calf injury while Toure is still struggling with a hamstring problem.
Wilfried Bony, Kelechi Iheanacho and Eliaquim Mangala are back in contention but Fabian Delph, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri remain out.