Man City & Newcastle’s first XIs after big-money takeovers

Man City & Newcastle have both been the subject of huge takeovers over the last 15 years, with the fortunes of both sides being massively turned around after major cash injections.

Both teams have come a long way since their takeovers, especially Manchester City, who turned into arguably the world’s best side just years after being a long-time mid-table Premier League outfit.

So, ahead of their clash in the league on Saturday afternoon, Coral takes you through the XIs Man City and Newcastle both put out in their first games after their respective takeovers.

Man City XI vs Chelsea – September 2008

• GK – Joe Hart
• RB – Micah Richards
• CB – Richard Dunne
• CB – Vincent Kompany
• LB – Pablo Zabaleta
• CM – Dietmar Hamann
• CM – Michael Ball
• CM – Stephen Ireland
• RW – Shaun Wright-Phillips
• LW – Robinho
• ST – Jo

From Richard Dunne and Michael Ball to John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne, it’s clear just how far Man City have come in the 13 years since Sheikh Mansour bought the club.

The likes of Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Yaya Toure would shortly follow, helping City win their first Premier League title in 2012, something that has become a fairly common occurance since.

Now seen by many fans as the best football team in the world right now, City have some of the best players on the planet, play some of the most attractive football, and have made some of the smartest transfers in making that happen. They’re truly a very well run club.

Things at Newcastle are at the other end of the scale, with the takeover occuring less than three years ago, but ewhat was the lineup that the Geordies put out in their first game after being purchased by the Saudi Arabian PIF?

Newcastle XI v Tottenham – October 2021

• GK – Karl Darlow
• RB – Javi Manquillo
• CB – Ciaran Clark
• CB – Jamal Lascalles
• LB – Matt Ritchie
• CM – Isaac Hayden
• CM – Joe Willock
• CM – Sean Longstaff
• LM – Joelinton
• RM – Allan Saint-Maximin
• ST – Callum Wilson

Despite their takeover taking place less than three years ago, Newcastle have managed to make any upgrades to their starting XI, but a few familiar faces are still hanging around.

Joelinton starts for Newcastle in their first XI, when everyone is fit, while Jamal Lascalles, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson, who played in the loss to Spurs in 2021, have also all played multiple times this season.

There have still been clear improvements made, and Newcastle will be hoping that those changes continue should they want to become an English and European powerhouse like Manchester City have gone on to become.

Newcastle v Man City odds

On Saturday afternoon, Man City travel to St James Park for their Premier League clash with Newcastle, hoping to do the double over the Magpies.

Back in August, Newcastle lost 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a goal from Julian Alvarez, who started off the season in truly fantastic form.

However, that isn’t the last time both sides met, with City travelling to Newcastle for a third-round Carabao Cup tie in September, which they ended up losing 1-0 after a 53rd minute goal from Alexander Isak.

Despite the score being 1-1 across both games so far this season, Coral has placed City as the favourites for this one, at the price of 4/7. However, a bet on Newcastle to either draw or win, at the prices of 16/5 and 9/2 respectively, could be worth a punt for those interested.