Even if they do manage nine victories between now and the end of the season, it's very unlikely to be enough to hang on to their Premier League title and stop Manchester United waltzing off down Stretford with the trophy.
Eight points from a possible 45 is a record that can only be beaten by Reading—and we all know where they're heading.
As ever, though, football has a way of cackling uncontrollably in the face of the best-laid plans and City will still need to be careful.
That was always going to be a difficult feat to repeat this season, and sure enough, the goals have been a little less frequent and Cisse's form a little more bumpy.
That said, he remains Newcastle's go-to guy, and with three goals in his last five games, his form, if not ablaze, is at least starting to smoulder.
But it has not stopped the arrows coming the way of Joe Hart and his colleague at the back—especially during their Champions League group campaign in which they failed to win a single game.
You would think chances would be at a premium for Newcastle at The Etihad Stadium, but if City's minds are not pin-sharp around Cisse, one opportunity is all he might need.
With Sergio Aguero's efficacy affected by injury and Carlos Tevez not at his consistent best, City have not been as potent.
The Bosnian has had trouble, at times, accepting his place in the rotation policy at the club, but has made the most of his opportunities when they have come along.
However, he remains a frustrating and perplexing player too, and his performance at Everton was a throwback to the bad old days.
He is without a goal in four games in total, although two for his country in their World Cup qualifier win over Greece on Friday will have got the juices flowing again.
Stephen Taylor, Newcastle's king pin now Fabricio Coloccini is out injured, will wonder which Dezko is going to turn up. He will hope it's the bad one.
The two Ivorians are good mates off the field, but pleasantries will be suspended as Tiote does his best to spoil, disrupt and knock Toure off his rhythm.
Toure is the only player in the division to make more than 1,000 passes during home matches and only Arsenal's Mikel Arteta can come close matching his average of nearly 86 per game (via whoscored.com).
Along similar lines to the Toure vs Tiote matchup, who comes out on top in the scrap between City's defensive shield in midfield and Newcastle's thrusting buck will have a heavy influence on the result.
He has needed the help of a defensive midfield partner, be it Javi Garcia, Jack Rodwell (when fit) or even Yaya Toure.
Barry and Garcia did an effective job at retaining the ball against Everton, but question marks were raised over their urgency in closing down the space when they were not in possession.
That is not likely to be such an issue at home, where Newcastle will not see the ball much and will be content to hit on the break when they can.
If they are not disciplined, Newcastle's Moussa Sissoko has already shown what a threat he can be driving deep from midfield.
He has hit the ground running since arriving on Tyneside in January from Toulouse, and his two goals in Newcastle's win against Chelsea in February 2013 announced him as a serious player.
City's last outing in the Premier League was that woeful effort against Everton which all but ended their hopes of hanging onto their title.
It has been City's mental frailty, as well as lack of goals, that has undermined their season and left boss Roberto Mancini turning on his players at times.
Their only loss at home was to Manchester United in December 2012 and the fact that Newcastle have not won there since September 2000 should mean City erase their nightmare at Goodison immediately.
Via: [Live Football] Colón de Santa Fe - CA Tigre - Argentine football
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