Defending champions Manchester City will face Newcastle in their first match of the season at St James’ Park on Sunday, the 17th of August.

Man City clinched the title after facing intense competition from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal last season and will be seeking supremacy again this time around. Their task will be made difficult this campaign with the other top sides having strengthened their teams with world class players but City’s Chilean tactician believes that after having worked with the players for a year, this time around the Citizens will be much more stable to launch a fiercer title assault.

"Maybe last year, when I arrived here, nobody believed that we could win the title because it was my first season here in England but we did it," he said.

"This year we have the advantage that I already know the players and they know me, we have already won the title. It is difficult for a team who wins the title to repeat it but we will try to do it.”

"I think the most important difference was work. We were just starting the season in a new style of playing.”

"This year we know how to do it, we have new players that must understand also the way we want to play but I think it is important to continue playing that way."

However some of Man City’s World Cup stars might not be able to feature as yet after failing to regain full fitness. Big money signing Eliaquim Mangala is unlikely to play during Sunday’s outing whereas Sergio Aguero is a major doubt but still has a chance to play a part against Newcastle.

Despite the fact that other first team players including Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis have not gone through much preseason training, they might play against Newcastle on Sunday.
Newcastle on the other hand had a disappointing end to their campaign last season after losing 13 of their last 19 matches which deprived them of a place in the Europa League. Their manager Pardew was also involved in an embarrassing incident after he was slapped a seven match ban for headbutting Hull City's David Meyler in March. The Magpies will be looking to rekindle themselves this time around with a positive performance against the defending champions.

Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores

Watch Newcastle United vs Man City live on Sunday, August 17 2014:

In the US at 11.00 EST on:

In Canada at 11.00 ET on:

In the UK at 16.00 BST on:

In Australia on:

For complete details of match listings and live scores, visit the Newcastle United vs Man City match page.


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