Newcastle vs Wolves - Magpies Can Bounce Back By Freshening The Pack
Newcastle United face Wolves at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon in the 4.30pm Super Sunday kick off looking to arrest a poor run of form in 2023 with what would be just a second Premier League win of the calendar year knowing all three points is vital to keep the club's Champions League dreams on track. When Eddie Howe's men beat Leicester City 3-1 away on Boxing Day, The Magpies were second in the top flight & the "Newcastle's going to win The Premier League" terrace chant had a surprisingly truthful ring to it yet just one win in seven League games in 2023 has seen a slump to 5th in the table after that terrific first half of the season. Last week, a 2-0 defeat to Man City at The Etihad saw Newcastle create good chances for Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton but fail to put any away leading to exasperation in the Toon ranks epitomised by Alan Shearer on Twitter: As the former great Newcastle striker turned pundit who would have had a hat-trick presented with the chances created at The Etihad pointed out, The Magpies matched The Cityzens except in front of goal with Pep Guardiola's men scoring through Phil Foden and substitute Bernardo Silva: While Newcastle can take heart from a big improvement from their 5-0 scoreline at The Etihad in the 2021/22 campaign, a lack of a clinical edge is proving costly especially with the club still well-poised for a tilt at The Top 4 & Champions League qualification if they can find their form and rediscover their goalscoring touch and quickly with the underlying stats not really changing from pre-World Cup & post-World Cup matches: With rivals Man United losing 7-0 - yes SEVEN NIL - to Liverpool and Spurs losing to Wolves, it wasn't a bad weekend for Newcastle at the home of The Champions Yet Eddie Howe - after persevering again with the increasingly predictable Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron and dropping the in-form Allan Saint-Maximin for Gordon MUST freshen up his attack and starting line-up in order for Newcastle to thrive again. Joelinton received his 10th booking of the season at The Etihad so faces a 2-match man and its likely he'll be replaced in midfield by the fit again Joe Willock, who came on against Man City in Sir Bobby Robson-style triple substitution with Allan Saint-Maximin and Alexander Isak and had a big attacking impact without managing to find the net: Yet it was the injection of life, fresh legs and energy that Newcastle have been crying out for all year with the team looking increasingly stale, tired and predictable and its imperative that Eddie Howe utilises his squad more going forward. Club Captain Jamaal Lascelles came into the side for the concussed Fabian Schar and did what few centre backs have managed in The Premier League this season - stop Erling Haaland scoring and he had Newcastle's best attacking effort from a corner kick saved for a long time and that's another area The Magpies must improve and maximise the height they possess with 6ft 7in Dan Burn and 6ft 5in Sven Botman in the ranks. Howe now faces a selection dilemma for Wolves on Sunday between Lascelles and Schar for who partners Botman in the middle amidst calls from fans for fit-again Matt Target to replace Dan Burn at left-back to give The Magpies better attacking balance and more width but the Geordie giant is enjoying a superb season at left-back himself and the extra height and presence has been a bedrock of Newcastle's solidity so far. While I'd keep Dan Burn at left-back, I would certainly refresh the front three and start Allan Saint-Maximin left, Alexander Isak through the middle and Anthony Gordon right as Newcastle's attacking strengths pre-Christmas has become stale & predictable and teams are now well aware of the danger posed by Miguel Almiron and are closing his attacking routes while Callum Wilson hasn't looked the same player since The World Cup potentially due to that mysterious illness that ruled him out for several games. Gordon impressed against Man City if lacking a tad match sharpness on his first start for his new club and Isak caused the Man City defence more problems in half an hour than Callum Wilson managed in an hour with Saint-Maximin ever the danger man but Joe Willock could hold the key to reviving Newcastle's attacking fortunes if played further forward in midfield with Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes sitting deeper. The athletic 23 year-old midfielder has got goals in his game if deployed in the right position as he was to spectacular effect under Steve Bruce in the 2020/21 season when on loan from Arsenal scoring 8 goals in 14 games including a record-equalling 7 goals in the final 7 games to see out the season in spectacular form and seal his move: Willock roving into the box behind Isak with The Saint and Flash Gordon on the wings would give Newcastle something truly different to the norm expected by Wolves on Sunday and could change The Magpies' recent pattern of results and fortunes. Wolves Enjoying Resurgence Under Julen Lopetegui Since replacing Bruno Lage in November with experienced Spaniard Julen Lopetegui, best known for managing Real Madrid, Wolves are enjoying a mini-resurgence: Wolves' have bounced from 19th place in The Premier League table to the relatively dizzy heights of 13th spot where they stand now on 27 points after an impressive 1-0 win at home against Spurs last week thanks to Adama Traore's excellent winner: The shrewd appointment of Lopetegui saw Wolves improve in both League and Cups with the manager currently boasting a 40% win rate of six wins from 15 games with four draws and five defeats including that fantastic 3-0 win over Liverpool at Molineux, a result looking all the more remarkable with The Reds' 7-0 victory over Man United: Newcastle have been linked with Ruben Neves, the architect of that victory, but the midfielder is one several Wolves threats that The Magpies will have to be wary of with Raul Jimenez ever-dangerous and a new threat in Paolo Sarabia and they have a new found defensive capability after the signing of Craig Dawson from West Ham. Wolves have won twice on the road in The Premier League since Lopetegui took charge against fellow relegation-strugglers Everton and more recently Southampton but at home Newcastle will be expected to win the game and take all three points and a renewed attacking team selection and even formation from Howe will deliver victory. In his presser, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe spoke of the need for good results in the next two games particularly before the international break: while confirming that Fabian Schar is back in the squad after knocks and winger Jacob Murphy, often limited to a super-sub role, is pushing for a start: With all of the talk among fans at least about Anthony Gordon and Allan Saint-Maximin, Murphy's inclusion from the start would be a surprise especially at home to Wolves yet Howe is adept at keeping all of his squad members happy with chances and possibility. And Howe's revelation that Alexander Isak isn't ready to play 90 minutes yet also comes as a surprise with some questioning whether Howe is too loyal to Callum Wilson: Yet he was full or praise for Captain Jamaal Lascelles who is in a good moment and can lead the side to victory over Wolves: Prediction - Newcastle 3 Wolves 1 Potential Line-Ups:
Newcastle vs Wolves - Magpies Can Bounce Back By Freshening The Pack
Newcastle United face Wolves at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon in the 4.30pm Super Sunday kick off looking to arrest a poor run of form in 2023 with what would be just a second Premier League win of the calendar year knowing all three points is vital to keep the club's Champions League dreams on track. When Eddie Howe's men beat Leicester City 3-1 away on Boxing Day, The Magpies were second in the top flight & the "Newcastle's going to win The Premier League" terrace chant had a surprisingly truthful ring to it yet just one win in seven League games in 2023 has seen a slump to 5th in the table after that terrific first half of the season. Last week, a 2-0 defeat to Man City at The Etihad saw Newcastle create good chances for Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton but fail to put any away leading to exasperation in the Toon ranks epitomised by Alan Shearer on Twitter: As the former great Newcastle striker turned pundit who would have had a hat-trick presented with the chances created at The Etihad pointed out, The Magpies matched The Cityzens except in front of goal with Pep Guardiola's men scoring through Phil Foden and substitute Bernardo Silva: While Newcastle can take heart from a big improvement from their 5-0 scoreline at The Etihad in the 2021/22 campaign, a lack of a clinical edge is proving costly especially with the club still well-poised for a tilt at The Top 4 & Champions League qualification if they can find their form and rediscover their goalscoring touch and quickly with the underlying stats not really changing from pre-World Cup & post-World Cup matches: With rivals Man United losing 7-0 - yes SEVEN NIL - to Liverpool and Spurs losing to Wolves, it wasn't a bad weekend for Newcastle at the home of The Champions Yet Eddie Howe - after persevering again with the increasingly predictable Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron and dropping the in-form Allan Saint-Maximin for Gordon MUST freshen up his attack and starting line-up in order for Newcastle to thrive again. Joelinton received his 10th booking of the season at The Etihad so faces a 2-match man and its likely he'll be replaced in midfield by the fit again Joe Willock, who came on against Man City in Sir Bobby Robson-style triple substitution with Allan Saint-Maximin and Alexander Isak and had a big attacking impact without managing to find the net: Yet it was the injection of life, fresh legs and energy that Newcastle have been crying out for all year with the team looking increasingly stale, tired and predictable and its imperative that Eddie Howe utilises his squad more going forward. Club Captain Jamaal Lascelles came into the side for the concussed Fabian Schar and did what few centre backs have managed in The Premier League this season - stop Erling Haaland scoring and he had Newcastle's best attacking effort from a corner kick saved for a long time and that's another area The Magpies must improve and maximise the height they possess with 6ft 7in Dan Burn and 6ft 5in Sven Botman in the ranks. Howe now faces a selection dilemma for Wolves on Sunday between Lascelles and Schar for who partners Botman in the middle amidst calls from fans for fit-again Matt Target to replace Dan Burn at left-back to give The Magpies better attacking balance and more width but the Geordie giant is enjoying a superb season at left-back himself and the extra height and presence has been a bedrock of Newcastle's solidity so far. While I'd keep Dan Burn at left-back, I would certainly refresh the front three and start Allan Saint-Maximin left, Alexander Isak through the middle and Anthony Gordon right as Newcastle's attacking strengths pre-Christmas has become stale & predictable and teams are now well aware of the danger posed by Miguel Almiron and are closing his attacking routes while Callum Wilson hasn't looked the same player since The World Cup potentially due to that mysterious illness that ruled him out for several games. Gordon impressed against Man City if lacking a tad match sharpness on his first start for his new club and Isak caused the Man City defence more problems in half an hour than Callum Wilson managed in an hour with Saint-Maximin ever the danger man but Joe Willock could hold the key to reviving Newcastle's attacking fortunes if played further forward in midfield with Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes sitting deeper. The athletic 23 year-old midfielder has got goals in his game if deployed in the right position as he was to spectacular effect under Steve Bruce in the 2020/21 season when on loan from Arsenal scoring 8 goals in 14 games including a record-equalling 7 goals in the final 7 games to see out the season in spectacular form and seal his move: Willock roving into the box behind Isak with The Saint and Flash Gordon on the wings would give Newcastle something truly different to the norm expected by Wolves on Sunday and could change The Magpies' recent pattern of results and fortunes. Wolves Enjoying Resurgence Under Julen Lopetegui Since replacing Bruno Lage in November with experienced Spaniard Julen Lopetegui, best known for managing Real Madrid, Wolves are enjoying a mini-resurgence: Wolves' have bounced from 19th place in The Premier League table to the relatively dizzy heights of 13th spot where they stand now on 27 points after an impressive 1-0 win at home against Spurs last week thanks to Adama Traore's excellent winner: The shrewd appointment of Lopetegui saw Wolves improve in both League and Cups with the manager currently boasting a 40% win rate of six wins from 15 games with four draws and five defeats including that fantastic 3-0 win over Liverpool at Molineux, a result looking all the more remarkable with The Reds' 7-0 victory over Man United: Newcastle have been linked with Ruben Neves, the architect of that victory, but the midfielder is one several Wolves threats that The Magpies will have to be wary of with Raul Jimenez ever-dangerous and a new threat in Paolo Sarabia and they have a new found defensive capability after the signing of Craig Dawson from West Ham. Wolves have won twice on the road in The Premier League since Lopetegui took charge against fellow relegation-strugglers Everton and more recently Southampton but at home Newcastle will be expected to win the game and take all three points and a renewed attacking team selection and even formation from Howe will deliver victory. In his presser, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe spoke of the need for good results in the next two games particularly before the international break: while confirming that Fabian Schar is back in the squad after knocks and winger Jacob Murphy, often limited to a super-sub role, is pushing for a start: With all of the talk among fans at least about Anthony Gordon and Allan Saint-Maximin, Murphy's inclusion from the start would be a surprise especially at home to Wolves yet Howe is adept at keeping all of his squad members happy with chances and possibility. And Howe's revelation that Alexander Isak isn't ready to play 90 minutes yet also comes as a surprise with some questioning whether Howe is too loyal to Callum Wilson: Yet he was full or praise for Captain Jamaal Lascelles who is in a good moment and can lead the side to victory over Wolves: Prediction - Newcastle 3 Wolves 1 Potential Line-Ups:
Newcastle vs Wolves - Magpies Can Bounce Back By Freshening The Pack
Newcastle United face Wolves at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon in the 4.30pm Super Sunday kick off looking to arrest a poor run of form in 2023 with what would be just a second Premier League win of the calendar year knowing all three points is vital to keep the club's Champions League dreams on track. When Eddie Howe's men beat Leicester City 3-1 away on Boxing Day, The Magpies were second in the top flight & the "Newcastle's going to win The Premier League" terrace chant had a surprisingly truthful ring to it yet just one win in seven League games in 2023 has seen a slump to 5th in the table after that terrific first half of the season. Last week, a 2-0 defeat to Man City at The Etihad saw Newcastle create good chances for Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton but fail to put any away leading to exasperation in the Toon ranks epitomised by Alan Shearer on Twitter: As the former great Newcastle striker turned pundit who would have had a hat-trick presented with the chances created at The Etihad pointed out, The Magpies matched The Cityzens except in front of goal with Pep Guardiola's men scoring through Phil Foden and substitute Bernardo Silva: While Newcastle can take heart from a big improvement from their 5-0 scoreline at The Etihad in the 2021/22 campaign, a lack of a clinical edge is proving costly especially with the club still well-poised for a tilt at The Top 4 & Champions League qualification if they can find their form and rediscover their goalscoring touch and quickly with the underlying stats not really changing from pre-World Cup & post-World Cup matches: With rivals Man United losing 7-0 - yes SEVEN NIL - to Liverpool and Spurs losing to Wolves, it wasn't a bad weekend for Newcastle at the home of The Champions Yet Eddie Howe - after persevering again with the increasingly predictable Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron and dropping the in-form Allan Saint-Maximin for Gordon MUST freshen up his attack and starting line-up in order for Newcastle to thrive again. Joelinton received his 10th booking of the season at The Etihad so faces a 2-match man and its likely he'll be replaced in midfield by the fit again Joe Willock, who came on against Man City in Sir Bobby Robson-style triple substitution with Allan Saint-Maximin and Alexander Isak and had a big attacking impact without managing to find the net: Yet it was the injection of life, fresh legs and energy that Newcastle have been crying out for all year with the team looking increasingly stale, tired and predictable and its imperative that Eddie Howe utilises his squad more going forward. Club Captain Jamaal Lascelles came into the side for the concussed Fabian Schar and did what few centre backs have managed in The Premier League this season - stop Erling Haaland scoring and he had Newcastle's best attacking effort from a corner kick saved for a long time and that's another area The Magpies must improve and maximise the height they possess with 6ft 7in Dan Burn and 6ft 5in Sven Botman in the ranks. Howe now faces a selection dilemma for Wolves on Sunday between Lascelles and Schar for who partners Botman in the middle amidst calls from fans for fit-again Matt Target to replace Dan Burn at left-back to give The Magpies better attacking balance and more width but the Geordie giant is enjoying a superb season at left-back himself and the extra height and presence has been a bedrock of Newcastle's solidity so far. While I'd keep Dan Burn at left-back, I would certainly refresh the front three and start Allan Saint-Maximin left, Alexander Isak through the middle and Anthony Gordon right as Newcastle's attacking strengths pre-Christmas has become stale & predictable and teams are now well aware of the danger posed by Miguel Almiron and are closing his attacking routes while Callum Wilson hasn't looked the same player since The World Cup potentially due to that mysterious illness that ruled him out for several games. Gordon impressed against Man City if lacking a tad match sharpness on his first start for his new club and Isak caused the Man City defence more problems in half an hour than Callum Wilson managed in an hour with Saint-Maximin ever the danger man but Joe Willock could hold the key to reviving Newcastle's attacking fortunes if played further forward in midfield with Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes sitting deeper. The athletic 23 year-old midfielder has got goals in his game if deployed in the right position as he was to spectacular effect under Steve Bruce in the 2020/21 season when on loan from Arsenal scoring 8 goals in 14 games including a record-equalling 7 goals in the final 7 games to see out the season in spectacular form and seal his move: Willock roving into the box behind Isak with The Saint and Flash Gordon on the wings would give Newcastle something truly different to the norm expected by Wolves on Sunday and could change The Magpies' recent pattern of results and fortunes. Wolves Enjoying Resurgence Under Julen Lopetegui Since replacing Bruno Lage in November with experienced Spaniard Julen Lopetegui, best known for managing Real Madrid, Wolves are enjoying a mini-resurgence: Wolves' have bounced from 19th place in The Premier League table to the relatively dizzy heights of 13th spot where they stand now on 27 points after an impressive 1-0 win at home against Spurs last week thanks to Adama Traore's excellent winner: The shrewd appointment of Lopetegui saw Wolves improve in both League and Cups with the manager currently boasting a 40% win rate of six wins from 15 games with four draws and five defeats including that fantastic 3-0 win over Liverpool at Molineux, a result looking all the more remarkable with The Reds' 7-0 victory over Man United: Newcastle have been linked with Ruben Neves, the architect of that victory, but the midfielder is one several Wolves threats that The Magpies will have to be wary of with Raul Jimenez ever-dangerous and a new threat in Paolo Sarabia and they have a new found defensive capability after the signing of Craig Dawson from West Ham. Wolves have won twice on the road in The Premier League since Lopetegui took charge against fellow relegation-strugglers Everton and more recently Southampton but at home Newcastle will be expected to win the game and take all three points and a renewed attacking team selection and even formation from Howe will deliver victory. In his presser, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe spoke of the need for good results in the next two games particularly before the international break: while confirming that Fabian Schar is back in the squad after knocks and winger Jacob Murphy, often limited to a super-sub role, is pushing for a start: With all of the talk among fans at least about Anthony Gordon and Allan Saint-Maximin, Murphy's inclusion from the start would be a surprise especially at home to Wolves yet Howe is adept at keeping all of his squad members happy with chances and possibility. And Howe's revelation that Alexander Isak isn't ready to play 90 minutes yet also comes as a surprise with some questioning whether Howe is too loyal to Callum Wilson: Yet he was full or praise for Captain Jamaal Lascelles who is in a good moment and can lead the side to victory over Wolves: Prediction - Newcastle 3 Wolves 1 Potential Line-Ups: