This weekend’s Premier League fixtures get underway on Friday night, as Newcastle host Wolves. Newcastle, playing at home for the first time in five games, are looking to bounce back after a 5-1 defeat to Tottenham last weekend. Wolves, however, will be pushing for the win as they will have their sights set on a top six finish.
Newcastle are currently in 15th position in the league, seemingly safe from relegation despite Eddie Howe’s reservations about the possibility. The Magpies are two points away from 14th position, with a game in hand, and one point above 17th position, also with a game in hand. The tightly packed bottom half of the table is a positive for Newcastle, as this gives them a good opportunity to propel themselves up the table if they manage to turn their current form around and pick up some points. Returning to St James’ Park, they will hope to put an end to their run of three losses, as their fans will return to provide them with the encouragement that they need.
Wolves are in a comfortable position in the table, finding themselves in eighth place. They are 12 points above ninth place, which gives them a nice cushion to the bottom half of the table and removes pressure of a possible poor final result. They are two points behind West Ham in sixth, which will fill them with motivation to charge down a European place. With the top four not too far away either, Wolves fans will dare to dream of the Champions League as we approach the final stretch of the season.
With the reverse fixture ending in a 2-1 win for Wolves, much has changed since that game in October last year, meaning that we are in for a great matchup on Friday night. Despite Newcastle being favourites for this fixture, Newcastle have only won four of their 14 home games this season, with Wolves having the fourth best away form in the league after winning eight of their 15 games on the road. Newcastle, however, are unbeaten in their last five home games, which will make Wolves question their chances.
With this tie being vital for both sides and the result possibly going either way, we will be in for an entertaining match. Have a look at my bet builder selections below, as well as the Cheat Sheet, as this weekend’s Premier League games get underway.
Newcastle v Wolves Bet Builder Tips
Both Teams to Score
An exciting matchup increases the prospect of both teams providing a strong attacking threat at some point during the game. With Newcastle hoping to overturn poor form in front of their home crowd, they will fancy themselves against a Wolves side with key players such as Jimenez and Neves out injured. Because of this, I’m expecting both sides to get onto the scoresheet.
Newcastle and Wolves have identical scoring and conceding stats in their recent games. Both sides have scored in six of their last eight league games, whilst also both conceding in six of their last eight league games. This suggests that both sides are able to perform to a competitive standard in their matches and take the game to their opponents. Not only this, but it shows that both sides aren’t always able to stay tight at the back as it wouldn’t be a shock to see neither side maintain a clean sheet.
Newcastle average 1.43 goals scored per game at home, showing that they always show a strong attacking threat during their matches, and have top quality in their squad to concern their opponents. However, their defensive abilities still need to be polished, as they concede an average of 1.79 goals per home game. Despite the good chance of them scoring, this stat will intrigue Wolves as their questionable defensive record will be something that the Midlands side can take advantage of.
The Magpies have only had clean sheets in 14% of their home matches this season, increasing the likelihood that Wolves will be able to get past their back line. They have also witnessed both sides scoring in 71% of their home games, which reinforces this selection even more.
With Newcastle conceding in 12 of their last 14 matches, and Watford scoring nine goals in their last four games, this balances out nicely with the fact that Newcastle are favourites coming into this game, increasing the chances of both teams getting on the scoresheet.
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Prediction: Both Teams to Score
Chris Wood to Score Anytime
With Newcastle fancying their chances on Friday night, their usual goal outlet of Callum Wilson is still not available. Because of this, Chris Wood will have to continue to step up to lead the line for Newcastle, carrying an immense goal threat on his shoulders. I’ve had a look into his form against Wolves, so these following reasons are why I’m backing him to score.
Chris Wood does like a game against Wolves. He has five goals in eight appearances against them, showing that he has found a way to dismantle Wolves in the past. Looking back to a year ago when Wood wore the claret and blue of Burnley, he managed to score a hat trick against Wolves in April last year, enforcing the fact that he plays well when facing the Midlands side.
Since joining Newcastle, he has played in all 11 matches since he made the switch from Burnley, completing 10.8 full 90 minutes. This shows that he is a reliable player to feature in the Newcastle attack, and someone that Eddie Howe values highly. With Wood cementing himself into the Newcastle line-up, he will have a large responsibility on Friday night against Wolves, as he will be expected to carry on his good form against them.
Wood has settled nicely into the Newcastle side but would be expecting to score a few more goals than he has done already. Averaging a total of 1.67 shots per game, he still manages to produce an attacking threat in a Newcastle side that are only just evading the relegation places and turning their form around. With his wealth of experience in the Premier League, he will be a figure that is depended on to deliver for Newcastle, as they continue their journey to venture as high up the table as they can.
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Prediction: Chris Wood to Score Anytime
Fabian Schar to be Shown a Card
With it seeming like a tense game is going to occur between Newcastle and Wolves, I’ve had a look at who I feel will overstep the mark on a few occasions, landing on Fabian Schar to be booked.
With Peter Bankes being in charge of this game, he averages a total of 4.5 yellow cards per match. With the chances that yellow cards will be distributed easily during this fixture, a rowdy Newcastle crowd will not let their side cower from Wolves, encouraging them to put up a fight which is why this will encourage Schar and his teammates to be more aggressive after their poor run of recent form.
Missing only one game in Newcastle’s last 19 league fixtures, Schar has established himself under Eddie Howe as a permanent starter that is always depended on at centre back. He will be trying to keep Trincao (1.63 fouls drawn), Silva (1.54 fouls drawn) and Podence (1.84 fouls drawn) all quiet, providing him with a busy evening as he will have to monitor a tricky Wolves attack.
Committing an average of 1.26 fouls per game, Schar always gets stuck into the action as it is vital for Newcastle to concede a minimal amount of goals, to distance themselves from the relegation zone. With Newcastle conceding in 12 of their last 14 games, this piles the pressure on Schar, who will be desperate to keep a clean sheet against Wolves, despite Newcastle’s inability to shut-up-shop when playing at home. The increased amount of chances that Wolves will have will only frustrate Schar, and with pressure from the home crowd, I’m expecting him to eventually end up in the referee’s book.
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Prediction: Fabian Schar to be Shown a Card
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Newcastle v Wolves Predicted Line-ups
Newcastle predicted XI (4-3-3) : Dubravka; Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett; Guimaraes, Shelvey, Joelinton; Murphy, Wood, Saint-Maximin
Wolves predicted XI (3-4-3) : Sa; Boly, Coady, Kilman; Jonny, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Marcal; Podence, F Silva, Trincao
Newcastle v Wolves Cheat Sheet
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing *
How to watch Newcastle v Wolves in the Premier League
📅 When is Newcastle v Wolves? / Friday, 8th April 2022, 20:00
🏟 Where is Newcastle v Wolves? / St James’ Park (Newcastle)
📺 What TV channel is Newcastle v Wolves on? / Sky Sports Premier League
🟨 …And who is the referee for Newcastle v Wolves? / Peter Bankes 🏴
