Three reasons to genuinely believe Newcastle United can beat Man City to turn season around

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Newcastle United return to Premier League action on Saturday with a daunting-looking clash against Manchester City.  

The international break came at a good time for Newcastle United, who are struggling in the Premier League this season.

Indeed, the Premier League table is not looking pretty for Eddie Howe, who desperately needs to turn things around.

Thankfully for supporters, Howe’s side are back at St James’ Park. Newcastle’s results would look an awful lot worse without their home form.

It’s going to be a very difficult game but there are reasons to be positive. If they win on Saturday, things really are looking up.

Here, Geordie Boot Boys look at three reasons for optimism.  

• READ MORE: Eddie Howe must halt horrendous six-year curse against Man City this weekend

Newcastle United’s home form

To suggest Newcastle are a completely different team at home would be unwise. Not often this season have they blown teams away.

Still, a response from this maddeningly inconsistent team is much more likely to come at home against big name opposition in front of the Sky cameras. All three of Newcastle’s league wins this season have come on Tyneside.

Interestingly, they have only lost one of their last four home games against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Lewis Hall’s return from injury

Newcastle insiders think Lewis Hall can help save the club’s season, such is his importance to the cause.

The full-back should start against City, which will be a huge boost. Dan Burn’s struggles at left-back have been heavily discussed and he is suspended for Saturday’s game anyway.

Hall gives Newcastle much better balance. His ability to counter-press is a huge part of Howe’s brand of football, while he also gives much more than Burn going forward. 

The lack of thrust from Newcastle’s full-backs has been painful in recent weeks. Hall’s return will help that.

Manchester City’s away form

Guardiola’s side are certainly not quite as bad as Newcastle away from home but it is interesting that two of their three league defeats have come on the road.

City may have moved past the struggles they endured last season but do not look quite as ominous as they have done in previous campaigns.

Their defeats away at Brighton and Aston Villa offer Newcastle some hope. As good as City are, they are no longer quite the force of old.

Newcastle gave City far too much respect in their dismal 4-0 loss at the Etihad Stadium back in February. They do not need to do so here.