Good morning and welcome to LIVE coverage of Newcastle United against Manchester City from the Premier League. A 12.45pm kick-off. Teams coming right up for you.

Newcastle really have to come to their senses otherwise this game could run away from them. City certainly look in the mood.

Aguero on the charge again here for the visiting side. Silva then sets up Tevez, but his volley is brilliantly blocked by Krul.

City have been pressed back, but strike with only their second real attack of the match. Roberto Mancini looking quite content with his lot all of a sudden.

GOAL! Lovely goal from City as Nasri bounds onto a pass from Yaya Toure before setting up Aguero to tap the ball home. Brilliant move and super finish.

Didn't look much in that call. Lovely pass by Aguero to pick out Tevez with Krul making a fine stop. No harm done for Newcastle.

Newcastle continue to earn free-kicks. Anita with another long ball. Cleared by Clichy before Tevez is caught offside at the other end.

Anita picks out the head of Williamson. Strong header on, but Hart is quickly out ahead of Ba to collect the loose ball. Fine start here by Newcastle.

Kolo Toure takes out Ba with a late challenge. Newcastle going to have another chance to throw this into the mixer.

Anita swings the ball in with some swerve, but Joe Hart is alert to make a strong punch out at his near post.

Newcastle continue this bright start to the day as they earn a corner.

Brilliant stop by Hart to claw out the effort by Cisse in the opening moments. Was a fine volley, but no goal. The home side starting well.

Roberto Mancini says Balotelli has been left at home because he needs to "train more" whatever that means. Newcastle pressing forward early on.

Manchester City get the match off and running here.

Teams on the way out. Pitch looking ideal for football. Weather is quite mild. Glorious December day in Newcastle.

Manchester City have not scored from open play in the first half of their last four Premier League matches, and not netted a single goal in the opening 40 minutes of any Premier League match since October 6 - nine-match streak.

There have been four penalties in the last six Premier League meetings between City and Newcastle, all to the Citizens. Dan Gosling has scored in both of his Premier League appearances against Man City.

Match odds for this one in case you fancy a flutter: Newcastle (9/2), Manchester City (4/6) Draw (11/4)

Here is a reminder of how City took a giant step towards the Premier League with their 2-0 win over Newcastle at St James' Park back in May.

Alan Pardew (Newcastle): "We look weak with the injuries sustained and we may need to bring in a player or two. Mike (Ashley) has been very supportive and I want to look him in the eye with great results under my belt, but at the moment they are tricky results."

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City): "Newcastle usually is a difficult game. They have a good team, a good manager. Also we have a problem with the players at this moment because we have three, four, five injured and we don't know who plays. It is in this moment a strong team works more to improve. It is clear we are not in a good moment. We only took one point from the last two games but we need to be strong."

Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany is out of the match with a hamstring injury. Gareth Barry serves a one-match ban, while Jack Rodwell and James Milner (both hamstring) and Micah Richards (knee) are also missing. Kolo Toure is in from the start while Carlos Tevez replaces Mario Balotelli for the visitors.