Newcastle United host Aston Villa in a festive Premier League cracker.
Victory could see Newcastle climb to fifth if Bournemouth and Manchester City both fail to win elsewhere.
Villa can go fifth if can better Bournemouth’s result.
Team News
Joelinton is available for Newcastle after he was suspended for their 4-0 win at Ipswich.
Joe Willock (head) is set to be in contention for selection.
Emil Krafth (shoulder), Callum Wilson (hamstring), Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles (all knee) remain absent.
Villa have no fresh injury concerns following their win over Man City, with only Jacob Ramsey (hamstring) sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Villa at St James’ Park on Thursday 26 December at 3pm GMT, live on Amazon in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won four of their last five meetings against Villa (W4, L1).
- Villa are winless in their last 16 visits to Newcastle (D6, L10).
- Injured Newcastle striker, Wilson scored three goals in the Magpies’ last two home games against Villa.
- Seven of Newcastle’s last eight league goals have been scored by Alexander Isak (4) and Jacob Murphy (3).
- Jhon Duran has scored in Villa’s last four games in all competitions.
Prediction
Coming into this game with a pair of 4-0 wins in last two league games and 10 goals in last three overall matches, Newcastle have the confidence but can’t afford to underestimate Villa who will pose a tougher defence to beat.
Villa though come into this game off the back of a clinical display against Man City packed with quick attacking moves, whilst their midfield basically had City’s midfield for lunch in terms of their attacking transitions and space.
Now if both teams bring their top game then this should be a cracker of a draw but Tyneside is a bogey place for Villa, yet my instinct says that this will end with a point apiece.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Aston Villa
Result: Newcastle 3-0 Aston Villa