Wolves host Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon intending to record their first win on the board.
It’s been a testing to start the 2024/25 season for Wolves, who lost against Arsenal and Chelsea before securing a point at Nottingham Forest last time out.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t get easier in the upcoming games for Gary O’Neil’s men, with the visit of Newcastle United first on their agenda.
Unlike Wolves, who have started poorly, Eddie Howe’s side have secured seven points from a possible nine, including a 2-1 win over Tottenham before the break.
The Magpies have several quality attacking players, with the likes of Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Harvey Barnes looking to run riot at Molineux.
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Paul Merson fires warning to Gary O’Neil in Wolves vs Newcastle prediction
Ahead of the clash on Sunday afternoon, Paul Merson has been discussing the fixture in his column on Sportskeeda, and he doesn’t think Wolves will record three points on the board or even secure a draw.
The former Arsenal forward thinks Wolves are in ‘serious trouble’ and with upcoming games against Newcastle, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Brentford and Manchester City, the Wanderers could ‘lose ground quickly’ at the bottom of the table.
Predicting the Magpies to win 2-1, Merson wrote: “Wolves are in serious trouble. “They could end up being the team that loses ground quickly with other teams in the battle to avoid relegation. This is a big game for them.
“I’ve still got to give credit to Newcastle as well though, let’s not take that away from them. If Wolves get a win, it would be massive but I just don’t see that happening.”
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Why Wolves can be optimistic vs Newcastle
Following just one point from three matches, supporters can be forgiven for carrying a negative mindset as they host Newcastle this weekend.
However, there are reasons to be optimistic about their chances on the counter-attack, with the visitors’ defence far from secure.
Although they’ve only shipped two goals in the league, Newcastle rank fifth bottom for expected goals against (xGA) across their games (6.12), as per Understat, which suggests they’ve been fortunate not to concede more.
With Wolves boasting a huge threat on the counter, as seen during the O’Neil era, supporters can be confident that chances will open up in this contest, it’s just whether they can take them.
Matheus Cunha can cause problems for Newcastle in the pockets while the towering presence of Jorgen Strand Larsen and the pace of Rayan Ait-Nouri can hold the key to success on Sunday.
Wolves did show some promising signs in the draw against Forest and they must now build on them following the break.