Newcastle United face Wolves at St James’ Park in the race for a top-seven finish.
Victory could put Newcastle seventh in the table if Brighton and West Ham both lose at Fulham and Everton respectively, whilst Wolves themselves can move up to seventh with a win and those two results elsewhere swinging in their favour.
Team News
Sven Botman is a fitness doubt for Newcastle after he was rested in the Magpies’ midweek FA Cup win at Blackburn.
Matt Targett (hamstring), Nick Pope (shoulder), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Callum Wilson (chest) and Joelinton (quad) remain absent.
Wolves will be without Hwang Hee-Chan after he suffered a hamstring injury in their narrow FA Cup victory over Brighton.
Matheus Cunha (hamstring) remains ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle meet Wolves at St James’ Park in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 2 March, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle are unbeaten in eight of their last nine meetings against Wolves (W2, D6, L1).
- Wolves have won just one of their last five league visits to Newcastle (W1, D2, L2).
- Both teams have scored in four of their last five league meetings on Tyneside, except for a 1-0 home win for Newcastle in April 2022.
- No Premier League defender has produced more assists than Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier this season, with the full-back having created 10 assists in 24 league appearances.
- Matheus Cunha has produced more shots on target than any other Wolves player this season (31).
Prediction
Sat just one point behind Wolves in the battle for that Europa Conference League qualification spot, Newcastle know that this is a serious must-win but they must be more assertive and clinical than they were at Blackburn who were able to boss them for much of the game.
Wolves meanwhile rode their luck after a clinical early goal because although they looked excellent on the counter-attack following a strong opening 20 minutes, Brighton really should of forced extra time if not for their own wasteful end product.
Fatigue therefore could well play its part here because both teams undoubtedly had two different physical contests in midweek, whilst the current league table also means that a win could prove key come end of season and neither team are in top form at the minute.
A draw therefore does look the fairest guess unless Newcastle can make their extra day’s rest count despite Wolves having avoided extra time and penalties in their cup game.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Wolves
Result: Newcastle 3-0 Wolves