England Premier League
Friday 17th September 2021
Kick off at 8pm BST
Venue: St. James' Park
Match Preview:
Steve Bruce knew before the Manchester United game that his team were going to get beat. The ex Red Devils defender didn’t want to admit it, but he knew it. Not only were Newcastle who have started poorly this season going to Old Trafford where they usually lose but his defence would be up against Cristiano Ronaldo. And so it proved. Ronaldo scored twice and Manchester United won 4-1, and Bruce could be forgiven for thinking about this home game with Leeds sat in the dug out during that game.
It is the home games that keep the fires burning and stop teams like Newcastle who have diced with relegation for the past few seasons above water. The Magpies come into this fixture in 19th place and are yet to win a game this season. They have lost 3 of their 4 games and have conceded 12 goals already, that’s averaging 3 a game. The final six weeks of last season saved the club, but there are no guarantees that Newcastle will find that form this season. Days before the Manchester United game all was not well behind the scenes as Bruce bemoaned the clubs lack of signings. That game was a write off but this one against a Leeds side who themselves have not had the brightest of starts may yield some light at the end of the tunnel for Bruce and his team.
Anyone that follows football will know of ‘second season syndrome’, that is when a newcomer from the Championship impresses in their first season and then nosedives in the 2nd and nothing works out for them. True it is early days but one has to wonder if we are experiencing this with Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds side? Leeds are in 17th place so this match feels like a real six pointer and they have yet to win just like Newcastle. Leeds have a point more because sandwiched in between their defeats to Manchester United and Liverpool are draws against Burnley and Everton. The Liverpool match came last weekend and Leeds were out played with that game finishing 3-0 to the Reds.
Newcastle and Leeds have a lot in common in the early stages of the new Premier League campaign and have conceded 23 goals between them that is more than the top 8 clubs combined.
Team News:
Newcastle: No update has been given on Callum Wilson who was being tipped to be fine from a thigh injury a few weeks ago, and the striker looks set to miss this game also. Jonjo Shelvey will be back at the end of the month because of his calf injury. Martin Dubravka isn’t expected back for another 4 weeks at least due to his on going foot injury.
Leeds: Pascal Struijk is suspended for 3 games after his red card v Liverpool last weekend. Robin Koch is almost certainly out again with a pelvic issue. Diego Llorente and Adan Forshaw are both missing because of muscle injuries.
Newcastle vs Leeds Head to Head:
Last season Leeds won this contest 2-1 and indeed Leeds did the double over Newcastle scoring 7 goals in those two games.
Newcastle haven’t beaten Leeds when at home since 2013 in the EFL Cup.
The last 3 games in a row has seen both sides to score.
In the history of this game both teams have 39 victories each.
There hasn’t been a 0-0 between the sides in 27 years.
Newcastle vs Leeds Prediction
Both clubs come into this game probably believing they can beat each other but there have to be some confidence issues. The advantage that Leeds have is they have a manager who the board believe in it’s not so sure Bruce has that confidence even if he is friends with Mike Ashley. If Newcastle fall behind then the fans will make themselves vocal and this is a game that could hinge on whoever scores first.
The danger for Newcastle is that Leeds will play with the attitude of nothing to lose, they can afford to think like this because they are managed by a manager who has one philosophy and that is to attack and play off the ball very quick. Newcastle have Bruce who may resort to fear and as the game goes on play with five at the back even, the first goal really is key.
Leeds are good value but at this stage of the season there is little in this but we may pick Bielsa’s side but for minimum stakes. This game could tell us a lot about the months coming up for Newcastle because they need to make St James’ Park a fortress and hard place to come to, right now one doesn’t get that feeling when West Ham and Southampton combined have been able to put six goals past a home side Magpies. What could attacking Leeds do if they click at the weekend?
Newcastle vs Leeds Betting Tips:
Leeds to beat Newcastle at 2.25
Anytime goalscorer: Patrick Bamford of Leeds at 2.25
Both teams to score at 1.50
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