Newcastle United welcome Sheffield United to St James’ Park in their final home game of this season.
Victory for Newcastle would send them up to 15th for at least 26 hours, whereas defeat would confirm a rock-bottom finish for Sheffield Utd.
Team News
Newcastle have no fresh injury concerns to report after suffering defeat in a seven goal thriller last Friday at home to Manchester City.
Elliott Anderson could be in contention to return after recovering from a hip injury which kept him sidelined in Newcastle’s last two matches.
Fabian Schar (suspension), Jamaal Lascelles (foot), Callum Wilson (hamstring), Ryan Fraser (groin), Isaac Hayden and Karl Darlow (both knee) remain absent.
Sheffield Utd could be set to be without Ethan Ampadu who has missed their last two games with respective groin and pelvic injuries.
Sander Berge (fitness) is a doubt but Oliver Burke (foot) is ruled out, as he joins Oli McBurnie (foot), Billy Sharp (muscle) and Jack O’Connell (knee) on sidelines.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have lost just one of their last six league meetings against Sheffield United (W5, L1).
- Sheffield Utd have won just one of their last five league trips to St James’ Park (W1, L4).
- None of the last 11 meetings between Newcastle and Sheffield Utd have finished in a draw across all competitions, dating back to November 1993.
- Six of Joe Willock’s seven Premier League goals have come on loan at Newcastle, with the midfielder netting three of his six goals on his left foot for the Magpies.
- 13 of Rhian Brewster’s 25 appearances for Sheffield Utd this season have come as a substitute.
Prediction
Newcastle will be heartened by their attacking potential after Friday’s well-executed performance against Man City, yet their defending at times was often too open and comfortably punished which cost them at least one point.
Sheffield Utd meanwhile put in one of their best performances of this wretched season on Sunday evening, because they were clinical and full of energy on the attack whilst Aaron Ramsdale enjoyed a fantastic game in goal with several saves.
Now if both teams can apply that quality to this game then I think we are in for a cracker, especially given that both teams have nothing to lose but if Steve Bruce Magpies play like they did at the weekend then they should edge this if improve defensively.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Sheffield United
Result: Newcastle United 1-0 Sheffield United
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