Newcastle United have been handed an immediate opportunity to exact revenge on Wolverhampton Wanderers for the 0-2 defeat inflicted on Rafa Benitez’s men who were increasingly looking like a team almost impossible to beat. The marauding nature of their play, perfectly epitomized by the 6-0 victory over QPR got many to assume that the unbeaten streak was here to stay for quite a while. But they were soon brought back down to Earth with a thud as a home defeat against the Wolves saw them slip down to the 3rd spot.
However, Rafa will be preparing his team to set the record straight and the manner of the business conducted by the Magpies has ensured that the options at their disposal even after giving rest to a number of stars of the 1st team are plentiful in number without a dip in the quality. His first demand in the transfer window was the need for 2 quality players in each positions.
Newcastle United had begun their Championship season on the worst possible note with back to back defeats which prompted the pessimists to wonder whether their unfortunate luck followed them to the 2nd tier of English Football or not. But it proved to be a false alarm as the Magpies got their house in order and under the stewardship of former Real Madrid and Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez, managed to churn out wins regularly. And the match against Wolves was considered to be a shoo-in for their 6th win on the trot. With a record of 15 goals scored and 2 conceded in those 5 matches, it was a remarkable turn-around for Rafa’s boys.
The EFL fixture will again see the two lock horns in a matter of days and it will be interesting to see the extent to which Rafa Benitez rotates his squad. He has plenty of top quality players at his disposal and can afford to select a strong looking first team.
HERE IS T40’s PREDICTED NEWCASTLE UNITED LINE-UP VS WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (4-4-1-1)
DEFENCE
Darlow is expected in goal with a new-look back four most likely of Achraf Lazaar, Grant Hanley, Ciaran Clark and Jesus Gamez at right-back.
MIDFIELD
Jack Colback and Jonjo Shelvey might get a match in midfield with Hayden earning a rest. Ayoze Perez scored a brace in the 1st EFL fixture and might get a game on the left-wing while Rafa could opt to hand a start to Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu on the right-wing.
ATTACK
Diame and Dwight Gayle could start in attack.