Nathan Ake says Manchester City are searching for the reasons behind recent collapses as they prepare to welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League.

City twice led against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League play-off on Wednesday but ultimately suffered a 3-2 defeat.

Last time out in the Premier League, City suffered a 5-1 humbling at the hands of Arsenal, ending a six-match unbeaten run in the competition.

They sit fifth in the table on 41 points, still within touching distance of the top four, but Ake acknowledged that they need to stop throwing away leads if they want to keep challenging this term.

"Obviously the last five minutes or so when you're winning 2-1 to give it away like that is frustrating and hard to take," Ake said after the defeat.

"It's difficult to be honest. We're trying to find the reason why.

"There are little details that some games you can get away with but these kinds of games you won't get away with because they're a top team. The next one is coming thick and fast, so we have to be ready."

Meanwhile, Newcastle are level on points with City but sit one place below them in sixth due to scoring fewer goals.

The Magpies lost their last Premier League match, giving up a lead in a 2-1 defeat to Fulham, but have since beaten Arsenal to reach the EFL Cup final and Birmingham City to progress in the FA Cup.

Joe Willock scored twice in that 3-2 victory over Birmingham, his first goals of the season, and he is relishing the chance to help the team continue fighting this term.

"I think it's [the goals] important because it's been hard to get into my flow," Willock said.

"I'm so delighted for the boys playing day in and day out. The manager told me to continue and keep going. When you get the chance to play from the beginning, you've got to show what you can do.

"I'm trying to kick on from here and get the best version of myself week in and week out. I want to give my best for this team. I've got to keep going to help the team [with so much to play for in the second half of the season]."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manchester City – Savinho

Five of Savinho's six Premier League assists for Man City in the Premier League this season have been for Erling Haaland.

Only Newcastle's Jacob Murphy for Alexander Isak (six) has more assists for a specific teammate this term.

Newcastle United – Anthony Gordon

Anthony Gordon has scored in each of his last two Premier League games against Man City.

The last player to score in three successive games against the reigning champions was Ollie Watkins in December 2021.

MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY WIN

Man City have lost just one of their last 34 Premier League games against Newcastle (W27 D6), going down 2-1 at St James' Park in January 2019.

However, at home, City have won their last 15 Premier League games against Newcastle – only three teams have had longer such winning runs against an opponent in English top-flight history.

During that 15-game losing run for Newcastle, they have failed to score in each of their last five trips to the Etihad. Overall, they are winless in 20 away league games against the Citizens (D2 L18) since a 1-0 win at Maine Road in September 2000.

City have scored in each of their last 32 Premier League games against Newcastle – only three teams have had a longer scoring streak against an opponent in English top-flight history, with two of those coming against the Magpies (37 for Chelsea between 1933 and 1969 and 35 for Tottenham between 1922 and 1961).

However, Newcastle have won each of their last four Premier League games on the road; they last won five in succession in October 1994, the only previous time they have done so in the competition.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Manchester City – 49%

Draw – 23%

Newcastle United – 28%