Wolves are taking on Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday – and Paul Merson has given his score prediction for the game.
Wolves go in search of three more points after last weekend’s fantastic win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Adama Traore’s goal sealed a 1-0 victory at Molineux, and the mood is good ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Magpies.
Newcastle have just stuttered lately, after flying earlier in the season.
They’ve lost their last two league games to Manchester City and Liverpool. And they also fell to defeat in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United.
Newcastle have been struggling to score goals of late, and with Wolves being much more solid defensively, there’s a real chance to pick up points.
But in the eyes of Merson, Wanderers will come up short against Eddie Howe’s side.
He believes that Newcastle will get out of their mini-rut, despite branding Wolves a ‘good team’ with a ‘top-tier manager’ in Julen Lopetegui.
Predicting a 1-0 win for Newcastle, he said (Sportskeeda): “This is a huge game for Newcastle United. They’ve lost three on the trot and are winless in their last five. Newcastle United are struggling at the moment and are just two points ahead of Fulham and three points ahead of Brighton.
“Wolves have been difficult to beat under Julen Lopetegui and they no longer get hammered. They’ve done an unbelievable job in landing Lopetegui. He is a top-tier manager. Wolves are a good team and they shouldn’t be where they are in the table.
“They have good players and they are a difficult team to beat. It’s not going to be an easy game for Newcastle United. But I still expect them to get the win here.”
A bold prediction from Paul Merson, Newcastle are there for the taking for Wolves
There is potential for this game to be very tight.
The goals have dried up for Newcastle, and that’s pretty much been the case for Wolves all season.
It is very possible we could see just the one, match-winning goal.
Wolves just need to keep things tight at the back to give themselves a chance.
Frustrating the home crowd will be key. If Wolves can keep Newcastle at bay for a while and grow into the game, then perhaps Lopetegui can turn to his bench, as he did against Spurs, and really go for the jugular.