Newcastle United will aim to enhance their chances of securing Champions League football when they welcome Liverpool to St. James’ Park in Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off.
With a game in hand on fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and third-place Manchester United, Newcastle sit fourth in the table – two points inside the top four.
Back at St. James' Park this weekend! ⚫️⚪️🔜 #NEWLIV pic.twitter.com/Twp0MBpeMC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 15, 2023
Back at St. James' Park this weekend! ⚫️⚪️🔜 #NEWLIV pic.twitter.com/Twp0MBpeMC
Meanwhile, Liverpool find themselves down in ninth place – seven points shy of the European spots and nine points behind Newcastle.
Remarkably, Newcastle have lost just one of their 22 Premier League matches this season – picking up 10 wins and 11 draws along the way.
The Magpies also boast the best defensive record in the division, having conceded a measly 13 goals this term.
Eddie Howe’s side head into Saturday’s clash on a 17-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, although they have drawn five of their previous six encounters.
Still, Newcastle will be confident of returning to winning ways this weekend, as Liverpool have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign.
Indeed, Liverpool have lost seven of their 21 Premier League matches this season – claiming nine wins and five draws in the process.
Although the Reds have scored one goal more than Newcastle, the Magpies have conceded 15 goals fewer than Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Liverpool head into this game on the back of a much-needed 2-0 win against Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield, although they have only managed to win one of their five league games in 2023.
Having lost to Brentford (3-1), Brighton & Hove Albion (3-0) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (3-0) since the turn of the year, Liverpool are not in a good place right now.
Head-to-head: It is worth noting that Liverpool have not lost to Newcastle in the Premier League since 2015, with the Reds picking up eight wins and four draws in that time.
Given that six of the past nine meetings between Newcastle and Liverpool have produced over 2.5 goals, we should see plenty of action this time around.
Team news: Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is suspended, while Javier Manquillo, Matt Targett, Joe Willock and Emil Krafth are injured.
As for Liverpool, they are without the injured quartet of Luis Diaz, Thiago Alcantara, Ibrahima Konate and Arthur Melo, although Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino are back in action.
Regardless of Liverpool’s impressive recent record in this fixture, Newcastle are expected to rise to the occasion in front of a passionate home crowd.
Forebet predicts that Newcastle will end their long wait for a win over Liverpool, with the hosts scoring over 1.5 goals on their way to victory.