2024-25 Premier League: Week 16 – Newcastle vs Leicester

Newcastle United face a tricky test against Leicester City at St James’ Park. 

Victory will put Newcastle up to 11th with Tottenham not in action until Sunday, whilst Leicester can go 15th if better Everton’s result at Arsenal.

 

Team News

Callum Wilson is ruled out for Newcastle with a hamstring injury.

Nick Pope (knee) is ruled out but Joe Willock (hamstring) is a doubt for selection.

Emil Krafth (shoulder), Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles (both knee) remain absent.

Leicester will welcome Facundo Buonanotte back into contention after he was ineligible to play in their 2-2 draw against his parent club, Brighton.

Boubakary Soumare (suspension) is ruled out but Odsonne Edouard (unspecified) and Wilfried Ndidi (hamstring) are doubts.

Abdul Fatawu (ACL), Ricardo Pereira (muscle), Harry Winks (groin) and Jakub Stolarczyk (ankle) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Newcastle face Leicester at St James’ Park on Saturday 14 December at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Newcastle have lost one of their last five league meetings against Leicester (W3, D1, L1).
• Leicester have avoided defeat in six of their last seven trips to Newcastle (W5, D1, L1).
• Newcastle are looking to keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet against Leicester in all competitions.
• Alexander Isak has scored in two of Newcastle’s last three home matches.
• Jamie Vardy has scored in each of Leicester’s two matches under Ruud van Nistelrooy (W1, D1).

 

Prediction

With no wins in four games, Newcastle really need to be more solid defensively ahead of their Carabao Cup tie against Brentford – who coincidentally outclassed them last weekend despite a see-saw first half display.

Leicester certainly have got second wind under Van Nistelrooy after a late fightback against Brighton, which is nicely timed given their form at Newcastle so I do expect them to take the fight to Eddie Howe’s Magpies.

Neither team though do look strong defensively but Newcastle’s firepower might just be the difference.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Leicester

Result: Newcastle 4-0 Leicester