Newcastle United look to continue climbing up the Premier League ladder against relegation-battling Leeds United.
Victory could lift Newcastle as high as fifth if Chelsea lose at Fulham coupled with draws for Manchester United, Brentford and Sunderland.
Leeds could climb to 15th with a win if Bournemouth fail to beat Tottenham.
Team News
Jacob Murphy is a doubt for Newcastle after he was substituted in their 2-0 win against Crystal Palace due to fatigue.
Anthony Elanga (knock), Dan Burn (rib/lung), Jamaal Lascelles (muscle), Emil Krafth (knee), and William Osula (ankle) remain absent.
Leeds could again be without Jayden Bogle after he missed their 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United due to a calf injury.
Ethan Ampadu is back from suspension but Joe Rodon (ankle) and Dan James (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Leeds at St James’ Park on Wednesday 7 January at 8:15pm GMT, live on Sky Sports Cricket in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle are unbeaten in their last five meetings against Leeds (W1, D4).
- Leeds have lost just one of their last five Premier League visits to Newcastle (W2, D2, L1).
- Three of Newcastle’s last four home games against Leeds in all competitions ended in a draw, except for a 2-1 win to Leeds in January 2021.
- Newcastle are seeking a third consecutive league victory for the first time this season, having last achieved three straight top-flight wins in a five-match streak between March – April 2025.
- Leeds have drawn their last three away games (D3), of which their trips to Brentford and Sunderland finished 1-1 whilst their visit to Liverpool ended 0-0.
Prediction
Now sat back inside the top ten after a three-month absence, Newcastle have a chance to really get firmly within the mix for European qualification if they can continue their upturn in attacking intensity, although they did need to be patient to beat Palace so more of the same would be ideal.
Leeds meanwhile certainly maximised their wide-attacking play and particularly with crosses in their last few games whilst mounting solid defensive displays, but I do think that they will need to mix it up here more because Newcastle’s wide positions are of higher quality and can cause big issues.
If Leeds do indeed show more variety in attack then I would fancy them to get a point here but if they stick with their current style, I can see Newcastle taking a clinical home win but my instinct is that this will again finish in a point apiece.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Leeds