Newcastle United face Liverpool in a massive Bank Holiday Monday encounter at St James’ Park.
Victory will lift Newcastle as high as fourth in the table, whilst Liverpool can potentially go top with a win depending on their winning margin.
Team News
Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe could hand Jacob Ramsey his club debut following the midfielder’s move from Aston Villa, which came coincidentally after their goalless draw at Villa last weekend.
Joe Willock (calf) could return earlier than anticipated in this match but Alexander Isak (personal) remains sidelined
Liverpool will be without Jeremie Frimpong after the fullback suffered a hamstring injury during their 4-2 opening-day victory at home to Bournemouth.
Conor Bradley however is in contention for the first time this season, having missed their last two matches with a hamstring injury.
Ryan Gravenberch is back from his one-match suspension.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Liverpool at St James’ Park on Bank Holiday Monday 25 August at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle are winless in their last 17 league meetings against Liverpool (D5, L12).
- Liverpool have avoided defeat in their last eight visits to Newcastle (W5, D3).
- Anthony Gordon has scored in each of Newcastle’s last two home matches against Liverpool (D1, L1).
- Newcastle have won six of their last seven home matches in the top flight (W6, L1), during which they kept only three clean sheets.
- Liverpool have won one of their last four away games (W1, L3).
Prediction
Having lacked a clinical final touch in their goalless draw at Villa which underlined how significant a loss Alexander Isak is currently amidst his transfer stand-off with club bosses, Newcastle surely will be fired up to prove a point against Isak’s suitor – Liverpool if can polish their end product.
Liverpool meanwhile were like a double-pointed sword in their win over Bournemouth because their attack was excellent either side of a defensive switch-off, which allowed the Cherries to level from 2-0 down and exposed the Reds’ defensive fragility on rapid counter-attacks.
This clash therefore should be interesting because Newcastle need to fire up their attacking boots, yet Liverpool need to tighten up their defensive play off the ball without compromising their attacking style which should make for a see-saw game hopefully.
My instinct however is that this could well be a draw because Liverpool seem to have lost their way a bit away from Anfield.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
Result: Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool
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