Newcastle United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are set to trade tackles in an intriguing Premier League match-up at St James’ Park.

Newcastle United’s rotten form continued last weekend as they turned a 1-0 lead into an embarrassing 5-1 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur, making it three Premier League losses from three. Eddie Howe’s men will feel obliged to get back on track, and they can turn to their previous nine-match unbeaten league streak (W6, D3) for inspiration. However, the ‘Magpies’ have found Wolverhampton a formidable opposition, having failed to beat them in any of their last five league H2Hs on home turf (D3, L2). Interestingly, though, nine of their 13 Premier League H2Hs have ended as a draw, with five of their most recent six yielding the identical 1-1 scoreline. On the bright side, Newcastle have racked up three consecutive Premier League triumphs at home, last enjoying a longer such streak in March 2019.

On the other hand, Wolverhampton have returned into contention for a top-six finish after claiming three victories from their last four Premier League outings (L1). Wolves currently trail sixth-placed West Ham United by a mere two points, making a first European finish in three years look possible. Bruno Lage’s men have set an unprecedented feat in the club’s top-flight history, having won eight Premier League matches on the road this season, though two of their last three away league games have yielded defeats (W1). But the ‘Wanderers’ will have an added motive to defy their recent form wobble, as they aim to complete their first league double over Newcastle since 1991/92 on the back of a 2-1 triumph in the reverse fixture. Much will depend on Wolves’ ability to keep things tight at the back, with six of their eight away league wins this season coming ‘to nil.’