Nathan Ake says that Manchester City is looking for the reasons behind recent collapses while they are preparing to welcome Newcastle United in the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League.
City led twice against Real Madrid in the first stage of their Champions League play-off on Wednesday, but eventually suffered a 3-2 defeat.
Last time-out in the Premier League Leed City a 5-1 humiliation by Arsenal, ending an unbeaten run of six games in the competition.
They are fifth in the table at 41 points, still at a moving distance from the top four, but Ake acknowledged that they have to stop throwing away leads if they want to keep challenging this term.
“It is clearly the last five minutes or so if you win 2-1 to give it away so frustrating and difficult to take,” said Ake after the defeat.
“It's hard to be honest. We try to find the reason why.
“There are small details that some games you can get away with, but these types of games that you don't get away with because they are a top team. The next comes thick and fast, so we have to be ready.”
Work hard pic.twitter.com/qk72oqyxg7
– Manchester City (@Mancity) 12 February 2025
In the meantime, Newcastle is right on points with the city, but there is a place among them in sixth place because of the scoring of fewer goals.
The Magpies lost their last Premier League match and gave up a lead in a 2-1 defeat against Fulham, but have since defeated Arsenal to reach the EFL Cup final and Birmingham City to make progress in the FA Cup.
Joe Willock scored twice in that 3-2 victory over Birmingham, his first goals of the season, and he enjoys the chance to help the team continue to fight this period.
“I think it's that [the goals] Important because it was difficult to get into my power, “said Willock.
“I am so happy that the boys play day in day out. The manager said that I had to continue and continue. If you get the chance to play from the start, you have to show what you can do.
“I try to kick from here and get the best version of myself week in and week. I want to do my best for this team. I have to keep going to help the team [with so much to play for in the second half of the season]. “
Players to watch
Manchester City – Savinho
Five Van Savinho's Six Premier League helps this season for Man City in the Premier League for Erling Haaland.
Only Jacob Murphy van Newcastle for Alexander Isak (six) has more assists for a specific teammate.
Newcastle United – Anthony Gordon
Anthony Gordon has scored in each of his last two Premier League matches against Man City.
The last player who scored in three consecutive games against the ruling champions was Ollie Watkins in December 2021.
Back to the business community in the Premier League pic.twitter.com/CB17DQ8CKI
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) 12 February 2025
Match forecast: Profit from Manchester City
Man City has only lost one of their last 34 Premier League matches against Newcastle (W27 D6), with 2-1 in St. James' Park in January 2019.
At home, however, City has their last 15 Premier League matches against Newcastle won-Slechts three teams have had such winning points for longer against an opponent in the English top-historical history.
During that 15-game losing run for Newcastle, they did not score in each of their last five trips to Etihad. In general, they have been Winless in 20 from the competition matches against the citizens (D2 L18) since a 1-0 win over Maine Road in September 2000.
City has scored in each of their last 32 Premier League matches against Newcastle-Slechts Three teams have had a longer score streak against an opponent in the English history of top flight, with two of those who meet the Magpies (37 for Chelsea between 1933 and 1969 and 35 for Tottenham between 1922 and 1961).
However, Newcastle has won each of their last four Premier League matches on the road; They last won five in a row in October 1994, the only last time they did this in the competition.
Opta wins probability
Manchester City – 49%
Drawing – 23%
Newcastle United – 28%
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