Football experts have backed Newcastle United to overcome their Premier League hoodoo by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend. Just one win in eight league games has concerned Toon supporters as the season approaches crunch time.
Three defeats in a row across all competitions, albeit against top-flight heavyweights, is not conducive to a top-four finish. Defeats to Liverpool and both Manchester clubs threatened to derail the Magpies’ campaign but Eddie Howe and Co have a chance to set the record straight at St James’ Park.
They welcome a Wolves side brimming with confidence after beating Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. While that result benefitted Newcastle, there will be no second favours when Julen Lopetegui arrives on Tyneside.
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The Magpies must translate performances into results - and start scoring goals - if they are to revive their Champions League dream. ChronicleLive has profiled what the pundits are predicting ahead of a crucial top-flight weekend…
Paul Merson
In his SportsKeeda column, he wrote: “This is a huge game for Newcastle United. They've lost three on the trot and are winless in their last five. Newcastle are struggling at the moment and are just two points ahead of Fulham and three points ahead of Brighton.
“If Brighton, Brentford and Fulham finish over them, all the good work they've done would have gone to waste. It's alright if you keep winning even if you're not scoring too many goals. But if the results aren't going your way and you're not scoring goals, then that becomes a major problem.
“They need to win this one. If they win this game, they are back in the top-four race. The problem for Eddie Howe right now is that they just don't have a reliable goalscorer. Callum Wilson has gone off the boil.
“Wolves have been difficult to beat under Julen Lopetegui and they no longer get hammered. They've done an unbelievable job in landing Lopetegui. He is a top-tier manager. Wolves are a good team and they shouldn't be where they are in the table.
“They have good players and they are a difficult team to beat. It's not going to be an easy game for Newcastle but I still expect them to get the win here.”
Prediction: Newcastle 1-0 Wolves
Chris Sutton
“Newcastle need to get back on track after five games without a win in all competitions,” Sutton told BBC Sport. “But they have not scored for 315 minutes now and that lack of bite is their biggest problem.
“They created some chances against Manchester City last week, but they really need someone to start putting them away if they are going to stay in the hunt for a top-four place.
“I don't think Eddie Howe's side are feeling sorry for themselves, because they are still playing well up until the final third. Their fans are proud of their efforts this season and will really get behind them here too, which will help.
“Wolves got a great win over Tottenham last week but they are not out of trouble yet. They will make life difficult for Newcastle but I am still going for a home win - albeit a very narrow one.”
Prediction: Newcastle 1-0 Wolves
Mark Lawrenson
“As good as their run was at the start of the season, this is as poor now,” Lawrenson told Paddy Power. “It’s come at the wrong time with the Carabao Cup final defeat thrown into their poor form. They were competitive at Manchester City and had chances.
“Wolves beat Tottenham 1-0 last week but I’ll go with the home advantage. I think Alexander Isak will start because he looked lively last week so I think Eddie Howe will probably chuck him into the side.”
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Wolves.
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