Newcastle v Man City preview

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew could take another massive step towards getting the St James' Park faithful behind him if he can engineer a win over Manchester City in his second game in charge.

Newcastle's postponement against Birmingham City last time out meant the club were robbed of an opportunity to continue their winning start under Pardew after he saw his team beat Liverpool 1-0 in his first game.

That result meant the fans, many of whom were not impressed when he was given the manager's job, warmed towards Pardew, but if he can get his side playing on Boxing Day and they keep all three points, which is priced at 12/5, then he could become a real favourite already.

Joey Barton and Andy Carroll were instrumental in that win over Liverpool and the boss has been busy refuting reports in the press the duo could be on their way out of Newcastle. There is no doubt that duo, plus captain Kevin Nolan, are the real fire behind the team's resurgence in the top flight this season.

Carroll himself has dominated most of the defences he has come up against and City are going to need to be more united than they have looked in recent weeks if they want to cope with the threat of the Newcastle number nine. Elsewhere, Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini are likely to return at central defence in place of Sol Campbell and Steven Taylor for the game at St James' Park.

Man City boss Roberto Mancini has been struggling with a hell of a week. First he had to deal with unsettled striker Carlos Tevez and then he saw his side go down 2-1 to Everton. The fact City have persuaded Tevez to remain at the club is a massive boost to the club and its fans and the Argentina striker is 4/1 to get the first goal in this game.

The visitors also boast a good record in recent games against Newcastle, having not lost to them since 2005 – which is a run of eight matches. Mancini will be without Kolo Toure, while Mario Balotelli – who claimed during the week that only Lionel Messi in the world in a better player than he is – is struggling with an ankle problem.

Nigel de Jong is back for City as the club look to do the double over Newcastle and bounce back after they squandered the chance to take the lead in the Premier League when losing to Everton - City are seen at 5/4 to get the win on Boxing Day.

Pardew knows Newcastle are over-achieving so far this season, as they sit eighth in the Premier League, and it could be all to easy to get sucked into trouble. But the boss has now had time on the training pitch with his new players and this game could give the Geordie fans some clue about how Pardew is planning on taking the club forward.