Dzeko given price boost to net first in Newcastle v Man City
Published:After a dramatic opening day in the Premier League, Manchester City have been given the perfect chance to reassert their authority over neighbouring United, who stumbled to a 2-1 home loss to Swansea.
City face a tricky match themselves, away at Newcastle United who have improved their squad significantly over the summer.
Manuel Pellegrini has some injury issues in his side, but Edin Dzeko is expected to line-up at St James’ Park, and Ladbrokes have bumped the striker’s odds to score first from 5/1 to 6/1.
Despite never really nailing down a first-team spot at the Etihad, the Bosnian forward has continued to produce decent goal returns, bagging 14, 16 and 16 league goals in the past three seasons.
Last year City went to St James’ Park twice, with a Capital One Cup trip added to league duties, and they won both 2-0, with Dzeko finding the next in each game.
Moreover, it took just eight minutes for the 28-year-old to notch in the league game in January, perhaps a pleasing premonition for those taking advantage of Ladbrokes’ generosity this time around.
City notched the first goal in a league-high 29 of their 38 fixtures last term, a full 10 games more than the Magpies managed to open the scoring in.
Dzeko himself drew first blood on eight occasions in all competitions, and finished the season with five goals in four league games to ensure the Sky Blues claimed the title.
The Premier League champions have also netted the opener in their last 12 meetings with Newcastle, a run that stretches back to 2007, and haven’t lost to the Magpies since 2005.
With United losing and Arsenal far from convincing in their win over manager-less Crystal Palace, City have a chance to set the early with a big win at Newcastle, and Dzeko is the man they will rely on to spearhead their attack.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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