Recommended bets
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Match preview
Can Newcastle United get their Champions League push back on track?
Last weekend, despite being competitive for long periods, the Magpies were beaten 2-0 at the Etihad by Manchester City.
That’s now three successive defeats for Eddie Howe’s team, after defeats by the same scoreline at the hands of Liverpool and then Manchester United in the Carabao Cup Final.
In the Premier League, the Toon Army have now seen their side win just one of their last eight, so have slipped down to sixth, four points below Tottenham, albeit with two games in hand.
Back at home, can Newcastle claim three vital points?
Wolverhampton Wanderers meanwhile will be no push-overs, after they beat Spurs 1-0 at Molineux last time out.
Julen Lopetegui’s team were winless in three just before this, but are sitting comfortably in 13th, five clear of the drop zone.
Since the start of 2019, these two clubs have met eight times, producing just 16 goals, with a remarkable six of these encounters ending 1-1.
This includes the reverse fixture in August, when Allan Saint-Maximin volleyed home a vicious stoppage time equaliser.
So, 1-1 seems a safe bet for this clash at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United team news
Joelinton was shown his tenth yellow card of the season last weekend, meaning he will miss this game and Friday night’s trip to Nottingham Forest suspended.
So Joe Willock, who’s been struggling for fitness lately, will come back into midfield.
In attack, Anthony Gordon will keep his place on the left-wing, with Alexander Isak set to displace Callum Wilson through the middle.
Fabian Schär missed the trip to Manchester City with a concussion, but is likely to be back in here, displacing club captain Jamaal Lascelles
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schär, Botman, Burn; Willock, S Longstaff, Guimarães; Almirón, Gordon; Isak.
Wolverhampton Wanderers team news
It’s now 381 days since a Wolves striker scored a goal, so can fit again Matheus Cunha, who’s likely to come in for Diego Costa, change that here?
In better news, Pedro Neto started against Spurs, before being taken off at half time, the first time he’d featured in an XI since suffering an ankle injury at West Ham on 1 October.
Mario Lemina’s arrival from Nice in January his brought much needed solidity to Wolves’ midfield.
Rúben Neves would miss their next two games, against Leeds and Forest, if booked here.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): José Sá; Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Jonny; Lemina, Neves, Nunes; Sarabia, Neto, Cunha.
Newcastle United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers: Head to head statistics
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Premier League table
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