Alan Shearer, the legendary Newcastle United striker and football pundit, has once again shared his prediction for an upcoming Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Manchester City. Ahead of the match, Shearer has forecasted a draw, citing two key reasons for his prediction: Newcastle’s need to respond after a poor performance against Fulham and Manchester City’s absence of Rodri due to injury.

Shearer emphasized that Newcastle’s recent 3-1 loss to Fulham was a wake-up call for Eddie Howe’s side. He noted that prior to this defeat, Newcastle had been securing results without playing their best football. However, the Fulham game exposed their lack of aggression and pressing, which were hallmarks of their identity in previous seasons. Shearer believes that if Newcastle can rediscover their high-energy, pressing style, they could pose a significant challenge to Manchester City.

On the other hand, Manchester City will be without Rodri, their influential midfielder, who is sidelined for the rest of the season due to a knee injury. Shearer acknowledged that despite this setback, City still possess the quality to hurt Newcastle with their depth of talent. However, the absence of Rodri could disrupt their usual rhythm, giving Newcastle an opportunity to capitalize.

Shearer also highlighted the atmosphere at St. James’ Park as a potential factor in the game. He expects a blockbuster encounter, given the history of thrilling matches between the two sides at this venue. Newcastle’s home crowd could play a crucial role in motivating the team to deliver a strong performance.

Shearer’s prediction of a draw is based on Newcastle’s potential to bounce back with a more aggressive approach and Manchester City’s vulnerability without Rodri. He believes the game will be tightly contested, with both teams having reasons to fight for a positive result.