Newcastle United will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the table as they face Sheffield Wednesday at St. James’ Park on Tuesday. The Magpies are just about hanging on to the prized 1st spot with their difference with second placed Brighton reduced to a single point. Newcastle were slow to get off the blocks but after the initial stutter, two incredible winning streaks got them back to where Rafa Benitez had envisaged them to be at. But the back to back losses against Blackburn and Nottingham Forest saw their momentum being knocked back. But 3 wins on the trot since then sees them back at the summit.
Sheffield Wednesday are in the 6th place and although they will be playing the leaders, the last visit to this ground hold fond memories for them. The two sides faced off in last season’s 3rd round League Cup game that Wednesday managed to win at St. James’ Park. Those were the Steve McClaren days though and Newcastle, even though are in the second division, are a much better team, now.
The contest will be closely fought but we can foresee a narrow Newcastle win.
TRIVIA
- Newcastle have scored in each of their last 12 league meetings with Owls, notching 24 goals in the process.
- Sheffield Wednesday are winless in six league matches with the Magpies (D3 L3).
- Newcastle have won just two of their last 14 matches played on Boxing Day (D3 L9) – 5-1 v Stoke in 2013 and 2-0 v Bolton in 2011.
- The Owls have won three and drawn one in their last four Boxing Day matches, keeping four clean sheets.
- Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle is the top scorer in the Championship with 17 goals. He is also the only player in the league to have scored more than one hat-trick this season (2).
TEAM NEWS
NEWCASTLE UNITED
The Toons will be without Jack Colback, who currently has an eye problem and won’t return to action until next year. They will be missing Jonjo Shelvey after his Joey Barton-esque meanderings earned him a 5-match suspension which he has subsequently decided not to appeal against. However, Senegalese star Cheick Tiote could be making a return to the action and given his 2nd Championship appearance of the season.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Sheffield Wednesday striker Fernando Forestieri will return to contention after serving his three-game ban for his straight red card in the recent home win against Preston.
Almen Abdi (shoulder) is one of the several players who will be monitored, but Barry Bannan (foot) and Kieran Lee are both expected to shake off injury.
Gary Hooper (hamstring) and Will Buckley (shoulder) will be assessed after missing out in recent weeks as the Owls bid for a fifth win in six league matches.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-1-1)
Darlow; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Ritchie, Diame, Hayden, Gouffran; Perez; Gayle
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (4-4-2)
Westwood; Hunt, Lees, Hutchinson, Pudil; Lee, Wallace, Jones, Bannan; Fletcher, Hooper
BETTING ODDS
NEWCASTLE UNITED- 8/13
DRAW- 11/4
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY- 9/2
TRIVIA COURTESY- OPTA
