A basement clash in England already

Only four matchdays have been played in the English Premier League and yet two teams that face each other on matchday five are already under pressure. Newcastle are still waiting for their first win of the new season, just like the visitors from Leeds.

And time is running out. It is a well-known fact that once a team is in the relegation zone, it is difficult to get out of it. Newcastle are banking on the home atmosphere, but have yet to really inspire.

Of course, the bookmakers have that on their radar as well. Therefore, in the run-up to the match Newcastle against Leeds, the betting odds even indicate a favourite role for the visitors, although Leeds have not really been able to shine so far either. The game at St. James’ Park kicks off on Friday evening at 9pm.

Newcastle – Statistics & current form

Naturally, Newcastle United did not go into the new season in the Premier League as one of the favourites. However, the Magpies had imagined more than one point from four games before the new season. Defensively, in particular, they have struggled so far, conceding an average of three goals per game That is clearly too much for coach Steve Bruce’s team.

Despite some solid approaches, not much is coming together yet. In the last game, they managed very well to stand up to Manchester United at times. In the end, however, it was a 4-1 defeat that hurt. Playing at the same level for 90 minutes doesn’t seem to be possible for Newcastle yet. And when the defence is challenged, it fails again and again.

Now comes Leeds, an opponent who won both meetings in pre-season. So the omens are anything but ideal for the hosts. That’s one of the reasons why our value tip before the Newcastle vs. Leeds match is that the visitors will win the match.

Newcastle: Not much encouragement so far

So the bookmakers see Newcastle in the underdog role and this team has thoroughly deserved that so far. There is still not much to be positive about, so the weakest defence in the Premier League definitely needs to improve and as quickly as possible. Even the home record of the last few months is not ideal, Newcastle won only one of six home games last season and this season.

Newcastle can’t really be any more defensive than they have been recently. Steve Bruce already fielded five defenders against Manchester United. It’s more about getting more balance and structure in the whole team.

But that is difficult to do against a team like Leeds, which deliberately creates chaos. And that’s why, before the Newcastle v Leeds game, our prediction is that more than 2.5 goals will be scored How the distribution will look in the end is rather difficult to answer and depends on the form of the day.

Predicted line-up of Newcastle:
Woodman – Clark, Lascelles, Schär – Manquillo, S. Longstaff, Willock, Lewis – Almiron, Saint-Maximin – Joelinton.

Last matches played by Newcastle:

Leeds – Statistics & current form

What is true for Newcastle is also true for the visitors Leeds United. The start into the new season was anything but perfect. The visitors have two points, but no team has allowed as many shots on goal as Marcelo Bielsa’s team. That the visitors are nevertheless the favourites is only surprising at first glance.

After all, Leeds’ offensive elements have worked very well at times. There were also a few games last season in which this team was shown the limits. Against Everton and Burnley, Leeds were well in the game, Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Cup also beat the Bielsa eleven. Apart from the 3-0 defeat by Liverpool last matchday, Leeds also scored every time.

So much for the positives. The visitors’ defence, however, has so far left much to be desired, and here too a comparison with the hosts from Newcastle can be made. Eleven goals conceded in the league is not much better than the twelve conceded by the Magpies so far.

Will Leeds get their first win of the season?

Despite this, it felt as a spectator so far that Leeds had a slightly better start to the new season than the hosts. And Bielsa already showed in pre-season with his team that he can get out of difficult situations very quickly. Goals seem to be guaranteed in any case. In the four games involving Leeds in the new season, 15 goals have already been scored, which is why the odds on both teams scoring are correspondingly low.

The two weakest defensive lines in the league meet in a direct duel. Goals should be guaranteed in this match, because both teams are too vulnerable in defence. Therefore, our tip before the match Newcastle vs. Leeds is that more than 2.5 goals will be scored.

Predicted Leeds line-up:
Meslier – Dallas, Llorente, Cooper, Junior Firpo – Phillips, Klich, James, Harrison, Rodrigo – Bamford.

Last games played by Leeds:

Newcastle – Leeds Direct comparison / H2H record

Very often these two teams have faced each other. All the more surprising that both teams have a completely even record with 39 victories so far. Last season Leeds won both games, before that they did not meet in the Premier League for 16 years. 18 games ended in draws, with Newcastle holding an advantage in goals scored at 152-135.

Newcastle – Leeds Tip

Newcastle and Leeds are both still waiting for their first win in the new season. The hosts have the weakest defence, but Leeds are almost equal to them. Goals should therefore be guaranteed.

Because both teams have problems defensively and Leeds have been decent offensively so far, our tip before the Newcastle vs Leeds game is that more than 2.5 goals will be scored in this match.