Newcastle vs Liverpool Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Eddie Howe is reportedly under growing pressure after another frustrating weekend for Newcastle United with a likely raucous atmosphere at St James’ Park welcoming a Liverpool side fast becoming champions-elect in the Premier League.
Kick-off date/time: Wednesday 4th December, 2024: UK – 7:30pm / US ET – 2:30pm / US PT – 11:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – Peacock
Newcastle Preview: Need a boost
Eddie Howe could reasonably be seen as a victim of his own success with Newcastle United rapidly rising to the UEFA Champions League a couple of seasons ago but regressing and seemingly treading water in the middle-of-the-table, albeit they did finish seventh last season and will expect to challenge for UEFA competition qualification this time around again.
The Magpies were unadventurous at the weekend as they shared a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park with Marc Guehi’s own goal, at the end of a slick Newcastle set-piece, being cancelled out by Daniel Munoz’, guilty of missing a sitter in the first-half, notching a second-half stoppage-time equaliser for the Eagles.
Liverpool Preview: Relentless Reds
Within the last week, Liverpool have comfortably defeated both the European champions Real Madrid and English champions Manchester City at Anfield. It has been a remarkable start to the Arne Slot era and that continued at the weekend as they defeated City thanks to a first-half strike from Cody Gakpo and then a second-half penalty from Mohamed Salah.
That means Liverpool have now won 18, drawn one and lost just one of Slot’s first 20 matches in charge across all competitions as they sit at the top-of-the-table in both the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League with a nine-point lead at the top domestically ahead of this midweek round of fixtures.
Newcastle Team News: Issues for the Magpies
As Eddie Howe continues to search for a more consistent and potent attacking threat, Newcastle are dealing with injuries further back in both midfield and defence.
Key men such as Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock are doubtful for this one with the likes of Sven Botman and Lewis Miley still sidelined for the time being. Star striker Alexander Isak is also a concern after coming off injured in the first half against Palace.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Tonali; Joelinton, Wilson, Gordon
Unavailable: Botman (Injured), Lascelles (Injured), Krafth (Injured), Miley (Fitness)
Questionable: Isak (Injured)
Liverpool Team News: The midfield rotation
One of Arne Slot’s most impressive traits this season has been to subtly tweak the side from week to week with a core group of 13 or 14 players seeing Liverpool through most games.
There are some ‘untouchables’ within that with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah guaranteed starters but they could make changes around that spine.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Unavailable: Alisson (Injured), Konate (Injured), Tsimikas (Injured), Chiesa (Injured), Jota (Injured)
Questionable: Bradley (Injured), Danns (Injured)
Newcastle vs Liverpool Prediction
Newcastle have struggled for attacking cohesion and intensity throughout this season with their usual fast starts sort of only limited to their 1-0 defeat of Arsenal thanks to an early Alexander Isak header last month. Liverpool are not remotely gung-ho so will control the situation and seemingly have enough in the tank to defeat anyone by a couple of goals at the moment so whilst the atmosphere and intensity at St James’ might be lifted, the Reds to simply ease their way to victory remains the likeliest outcome.
Newcastle vs Liverpool Tip: Liverpool to win & under 3.5 goals
