Newcastle United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League Preview
The English Premier League is moving towards an end as Newcastle United and relegation battling Wolverhampton Wanderers go head to head on Saturday, the 2nd of April at St. James Park. A win for Mick McCarthy’s side would lead them out of the
relegation zone.
Newcastle United
Alan Pardew’s side are currently eleventh in the League table with 36 points. With just eight games remaining, it is likely that the Magpies would end the season in the middle of the table. A win over Wolves could get them up to the ninth spot. Toons’ home
record hasn’t been that bad considering their overall League season, getting four of their nine wins at St. James.
They have lost five out of the twelve games at home while six of their nine draws have also been at home. They have scored 36 goals as compared to the 33 they have conceded. Newcastle, in their last five games, have registered just one win which came against
Birmingham City. Two of their games ended in a draw while the other two games ended in a loss.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Mick McCarthy’s side are lying in the relegation zone with 32 points and they would be desperate to register a win in order to get themselves out of the drop zone. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wolves-c40952 have also registered nine wins in the League so far but they have lost 16 times as
compared to their opponent’s twelve loses. Their away form has been a cause of concern as they have managed just two wins and eleven losses away from home. In their last five games, Wolves have registered two wins and two draws. One of their last five games
ended in a loss to Arsenal.
Team News
Newcastle United
The Magpies are expected to go in with a 5-4-1 formation. Peter Lovenkrands would play the lone striker’s role. Danny Guthrie is certain to take Cheik Tiote’s place who will start serving his two match suspension. Defender Ryan Taylor will also miss out
through his one match suspension. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hatem-Ben-Arfa-c15884 and Alan Smith are the other injured players in the Toons rank.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
The visitors on the other hand are likely to go in with a 4-5-1 formation. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake would play the lone striker’s role in place of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kevin-Doyle-c20719 who has a knee injury. David Edwards and Ronald Zubar have also been ruled out due to a back injury.
Players to Watch
The home team would be counting upon the midfield abilities of Kevin Nolan to stand any chance of winning against the mighty Wolves. With Andy Carroll gone to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 and Best injured, Lovenkrands will have a lot to do when he appears in the starting XI.
Wolverhampton Wanderers would heavily rely upon the defensive abilities of George Elokobi who could deny the Newcastle forwards through his physical attributes. Ebanks-Blake has six goals in the League so far and would also play a major role in place of
Doyle.
Prediction
Considering the visitors’ poor away record, Newcastle could edge past their opponents. But, Wolves’ ability to fight, and their dire need to win could send some warning signals to Pardew’s side. Newcastle will also be forced to field in a depleted squad
due to various injury concerns and the game could eventually turn out to be an entertaining draw.
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