Will it be close for Newcastle again?
Newcastle and Wolverhampton open the matchday in the English Premier League. Both teams have set their sights high and certainly have the quality for an exciting clash.
The hosts have improved considerably over the course of the season, partly due to investment in the winter and a new manager. Ahead of the Newcastle v Wolverhampton game, the odds even indicate favouritism for the hosts.
A spectacle is not to be expected. The Magpies are trying to be much more compact under Eddie Howe. And Wolverhampton are one of the most compact teams in the league anyway. Kick-off is at 9pm on Friday.
Newcastle – Statistics & current form
Not only the entry of the Saudi Arabian consortium, but also the signing of coach Eddie Howe have extremely helped Newcastle to overcome the worst of the relegation quagmire. The Magpies have not been completely rescued and the emphatic defeat at Tottenham showed that there is still some catching up to do, but fundamentally things have moved in the right direction and the hosts can hope not only to stay in the division but to build a base for the coming season.
However, with a bigger negative streak, the team would quickly be back in the deepest relegation quagmire. The last three games were lost and cast a poor light on the series before, in which six wins from seven competitive games were achieved. Individual mistakes and slight structural problems led to the defeats, all of which came away from home.
Despite all this, the good record and development is still having an effect. Before the match between Newcastle and Wolverhampton, the betting odds show that the bookmakers see the hosts as favourites in this match. For that to happen, however, there has to be an improvement in all aspects. The team is definitely capable of that.
Newcastle must bring their own qualities to the pitch again
Newcastle need to be more stable defensively again, more committed to factors like compactness. Even in the defeats away to Everton FC and Chelsea FC, they only conceded one goal each; in general, the team only conceded more than one goal at Spurs in 2022, but then it was five. This automatically raises the question of whether the trend is now back downwards.
With opponents like Wolves, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal, the remaining schedule is difficult. A complete collapse cannot be ruled out, so the duel with Wolves could be decisive and a key game.
All in all, it can be said that Newcastle pursue a defensive focus with many switching moments. Opponents Wolverhampton can be described as one of the most compact teams in the Premier League. Therefore, before the match Newcastle vs Wolverhampton, our prediction is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.
Predicted Newcastle line-up:
Darlow – Manquillo, Clark, Burn, Targett – Bruno Guimaraes, Hayden, Willock, Longstaff – Joelinton, Wood
Last matches played by Newcastle:
Premier League
04/03 2022 – Tottenham 5 – 1 Newcastle United
03/17 2022 – Everton 1 – 0 Newcastle United
03/13 2022 – Chelsea FC 1 – 0 Newcastle United
03/10 2022 – Southampton 1 – 2 Newcastle United
03/05 2022 – Newcastle United 2 – 1 Brighton
Wolverhampton – Statistics & current form
Wolverhampton are playing a season befitting the squad and expectations. The team leads the extended midfield in the Premier League, the gap to the bottom is even relatively large. However, it is still not enough to reach the top. The reasons for this lie in a lack of consistency and penetrating power; too often the team keeps up well, but in the end does not manage to win the game.
Last matchday, Wolverhampton won 2-1 against Aston Villa. This game was almost spectacular by Wolves’ standards, as three goals in one game is rather rare. Bruno Lage usually chooses an approach that is a bit more destructive, very focused on compactness. The visitors have taken 49 points in 31 games, which confirms their approach.
Nine points from the last four games also suggest an upward trend. Wolverhampton are playing a season that is going through phases, and currently the viewer gets the impression that the team as a whole is in a good phase again.
Wolverhampton: Nobody expects spectacle
33 goals scored by Wolverhampton in 31 games, 27 conceded by the team. This means that only three teams are better defensively, namely the first three, namely Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. In addition, no other team has conceded fewer goals than Wolves. Therefore, before the Newcastle vs Wolverhampton match, our value tip is that not both teams will score.
The defensive focus becomes even clearer when looking at the away statistics. 15:11 is the goal ratio there. Wolverhampton have won eight away games, only in one season so far have they had more wins away from home. And yet this game at Newcastle will be a very difficult one against a good and now largely very compact opponent.
Predicted Wolverhampton line-up:
Jose Sa – Semedo, Coady, Kilman, Saiss, Ait-Nouri – Neves, Moutinho, Pedro Neto, Trincao – Fabio Silva
Last matches played by Wolverhampton:
Premier League
04/02 2022 – Wolverhampton 2 – 1 Aston Villa
03/18 2022 – Wolverhampton 2 – 3 Leeds
03/13 2022 – Everton 0 – 1 Wolverhampton
03/10 2022 – Wolverhampton 4 – 0 Watford
03/05 2022 – Wolverhampton 0 – 2 Crystal Palace
Newcastle – Wolverhampton Direct comparison / H2H record
With 42 wins in 101 direct duels so far, Wolverhampton Wanderers have the better record in direct comparisons. Newcastle are on 32 successful games and of course want to catch up. The first leg went narrowly to Wolves, before which the two sides drew 1-1 five times in a row in the league.
Newcastle – Wolverhampton Tip
Two defensive lines that are willing and able to be compact and on each side an offense that is equipped with some fast players. This game can be an attrition battle for every square inch of the field.
The hosts are slight favourites, but the visitors are capable of putting their own stamp on any team. So a very even, not very spectacular match is looming. Therefore, before the match Newcastle vs. Wolverhampton, our tip is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.
