Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has told his players to expect a "real fight" during Sunday's clash with Newcastle United.

The Sky Blues travel to St James' Park knowing that victory would be enough to propel them to the summit of the Premier League table, with Chelsea currently boasting top spot after securing a 2-0 win away to Hull City this afternoon.

The Magpies, however, have slumped to successive home defeats to Arsenal and Cardiff City, but Pellegrini expects a positive response from Alan Pardew's men tomorrow afternoon.

"Of course it will be a real fight," the Chilean told reporters.

"Newcastle in the last two games have lost, but when they lost against Arsenal one or two weeks ago they were playing very well and they were fighting for the first position in the table.

"In the FA Cup they lost at home against Cardiff but I am sure that playing at home they will be a very difficult team."

Sunday's encounter in the North East is scheduled to kick off at 2:05pm.