Newcastle meet Huddersfield in a massive six-point affair at the bottom of the Premier League table. The Magpies are three points ahead of Huddersfield and a win would propel one of the sides closer to safety.
Neither club is in good form. Newcastle are winless in their last three matches, losing two of those games. Huddersfield, on the other hand, have lost three straight fixtures.
Huddersfield have collected just five points from a possible 24 at home. The Terriers have managed just one win scoring three goals at the John Smith’s Stadium. They have conceded 10 goals at home while posting five losses. Newcastle haven’t set the league alight away from St. James’ Park.
The Magpies have collected just seven points on the road. Rafael Benitez’s team has won just one away fixture. Newcastle have failed to win nine of their last 10 away league fixtures dating back to last season.
Newcastle have won three of their last six meetings with Huddersfield in all competitions. Huddersfield have managed two wins against the Magpies during that time. Last season, the Premier League sides split their season series. Huddersfield won their home game, 1-0, while Newcastle took all three points at St. James’ Park, 1-0.
Neither club scores many goals. Huddersfield are at the bottom of the Premier League goals scoring chart with just 10 scored. Newcastle are second with 13 tallied from 16 games. Leading bookies expect just one team to score and the game to feature fewer than 2.5 goals. Bettors can find value in the over 2.5 market and the both teams to score market. David Wagner’s Huddersfield have lost by a one goal margin in their last three Premier League matches.
Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey will most likely miss the fixture. He continues to suffer with an injury and was sent to a specialist this week. Wagner has seen a host of injuries plague his side recently.
Huddersfield already had the weakest squad in the Premier League and the new rash of injuries have damaged the team further. Aaron Mooy and Abdelhamid Sabiri are out until February, captain Tommy Smith is injured after tearing his hamstring last week, and Terence Kongolo and Jonathan Hogg will both miss Saturday’s game as well. Huddersfield are a mess and the lack of player depth will hurt them against Newcastle.
Benitez may not have a strong squad, but it is better than Wagner’s weakened Huddersfield team. The Magpies will pick up a win in a close match with goals being scored by both clubs.