Newcastle vs Wolves – Analysis, Prediction, Team News

As part of our weekend Premier League predictions, we look at Wolves’ visit to St James’ Park. Newcastle are winless in five and have slipped out of the top four – can they get back on track? Read on with our Newcastle vs Wolves prediction.

Newcastle vs Wolves Match Preview

2023 has been a bad year so far for Newcastle. Since the final day of last year, the Magpies have won only one of their previous eight league games. This run puts them sixteenth in the form table across this period, with only 8 points. 2-0 defeats in the last two by Liverpool and Man City and a Carabao Cup Final defeat to Man Utd have also been very concerning. Truthfully, they didn’t lay a glove on City at the Etihad last weekend. Newcastle must get back on track soon in their effort to qualify for the Champions League.

At home, Newcastle have been okay this season. They are seventh in the home table, with six wins, five draws, and 23 points. They have drawn too many games in general, with 11 from their 24 games this season. They must start picking up points again; this match represents an excellent opportunity.

Wolves travel to the North-East in fifth in the form table over the previous six games. Indeed, they have picked their form up and have three priceless wins and ten valuable points across this period. They have lifted themselves out of the relegation zone and now have 26 points from 27 matches, sitting in 13th. They aren’t out of danger but have given themselves some breathing space.

Wolves have won twice and lost seven times in their 13 away games this season. They have ten points away as compared to 17 at home. Therefore, the West Midlands club would welcome an improvement on the road. This game against a Newcastle side in indifferent form is a decent place to start. With Newcastle winless in their last five league games and Wolves surprisingly beating Spurs last weekend, Wolves will be hopeful of at least a point.

Newcastle’s last eight league games have seen fewer than three goals scored. There have also been fewer than three in six of their previous seven games against Wolves. The visitors have also seen fewer than three goals scored in their last four league games, so there might be few goals in this game.

Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Newcastle:

Might Not Play: Manquillo, Schar, Wilson

Will Not Play: Krafth, M Longstaff, Joelinton

Wolves:

Might Not Play: B Traore, Hwang, Costa

Will Not Play: Bueno, Kalajdzic, Chiquinho

Newcastle vs Wolves Lineups (Predicted)

Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope; Burn, Schar, Botman, Trippier; S Longstaff, Willock, Guimaraes; Gordon, Isak, Almiron

Wolves (4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1): Sa; Jonny, Kilman, Dawson, Semedo; Neves, Lemina, Nunes; Neto, Jimenez, Sarabia

Newcastle vs Wolves Analysis

Newcastle’s Form Has Stuttered Post-World Cup. How Can They Win?

Newcastle coach Eddie Howe must be worried. After a superb start to the season and 2022 in general, 2023 (as stated) has yet to go to plan. The goals and wins have dried up, and the team has looked leggy and has underperformed. Against Wolves, there must be an improvement, especially in attacking areas, as the Toon only have three goals in their last six league games. This statistic is a league-low alongside Palace and Southampton (and Newcastle didn’t score in the Carabao Cup Final either).

With Joelinton suspended, Newcastle lose some control and impetus in midfield and attacking areas. On the left, we back Gordon to start over Saint-Maximin and the latter to be used as an impact sub. Both players are fast and tricky dribblers (especially Saint-Maximin in the latter terms). They must try to use their pace to get in behind Semedo at right-back for Wolves. Almiron on the right has the same task against Jonny. The Newcastle wingers and Guimaraes supporting from midfield must try to create chances and get shots on goal.

Isak may start up front. Wilson cannot keep himself fit for a prolonged period, and Isak is better technically, in our estimation. He must try to hold the ball up and link play with the players behind him. Above all, in what might be a cagey game, Isak must finish any chances that come his way. There will likely be limited space for Newcastle as Wolves will play with a low block, so crosses and set pieces from Tripper or the wingers could be a way to make chances on goal.

Wolves Need To Score More. How Can They Attack Effectively?

With 19 goals in their 26 games, Wolves are the lowest scorers in the division. Therefore, it is clear where their problems lie. As alluded to, these teams have been involved in low-scoring games recently, and this fixture itself has been low-scoring (the reverse fixture was 1-1). Hence, we can only see Wolves scoring once maximum in this game. They must try to get a clean sheet by defending diligently and then win this narrowly or at least fight for a goalless draw. How can they go about trying to get a precious goal?

First of all, they must be defensively secure and pick their moments. They cannot go gung-ho and attack recklessly. Indeed, coach Julen Lopetegui is too savvy to do that. He is a cautious manager and will know his team aren’t clinical enough to get into an end-to-end contest here, especially against Newcastle’s quick and tricky wingers. Therefore, Wolves must pick their moments to attack. Semedo must get the balance right on when to go forward and when to defend. Neto’s return is good news, and he and Sarabia have some magic that could fashion a goal from somewhere. Jimenez (if he plays) is a good target man and someone to aim for at crosses, too.

Wolves will probably look to set pieces and the skill of their wingers to try to open Newcastle up. They can get down the sides, and behind any gaps Tripper leaves on the Newcastle right. Consequently, they can get the ball into the box for Jimenez to attack. Podence is an option off the bench, as is the speed merchant Adama Traore who is often used as a substitute and can stretch tired legs in the second half.

Our Prediction

Wolves have undoubtedly been in better form recently. However, having scored only four in their last five, it is clear that they are still involved in tight games where they might edge a draw or a win. Whether this is sustainable for the remainder of the season is questionable. Indeed, it is unlikely for Wolves to score more than once in a game (they have done this only four times in the league this season). Therefore, Wolves will try to frustrate Newcastle and transition at speed when they win the ball, as the onus is on the home team to attack.

Newcastle are under pressure right now due to their poor form. They have lost the momentum they had and are arguably going backwards. If they still have designs on being in next season’s Champions League (they are seven points off Spurs in fourth but have three games in hand), matches at home against teams lower in the table like Wolves are must-win. Given Newcastle’s propensity for stalemates this season, we are tempted to call this a draw. Indeed, if it goes to form, there will be few goals. However, in what will likely be a cagey game, Newcastle will maybe edge it.

Newcastle 1-0 Wolves

Newcastle vs Wolves Betting Tip – Newcastle Odds: