Newcastle v Liverpool – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Newcastle face Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday. The Reds sit nine points clear at the league summit with 11 wins in 13 fixtures. The Magpies have won just two of their last nine league matches and have lost six in a row to Liverpool.

Newcastle Form

A 1-0 loss at home to Brighton (with 21 shots and 2.02 xG) was followed by a 2-1 loss at Chelsea in the league. A 2-0 home win over the Blues followed in a Carabao Cup tie where the Magpies allowed 17 shots. A fine 1-0 home win over Arsenal ended a five-match winless in the EPL.

A strong comeback yielded three points in a 3-1 victory at Nottingham Forest before a shock 2-0 home loss to West Ham despite putting up 1.64 xG. A 94th-minute goal conceded last Saturday saw a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace in a match where they were outshot 16-1 in a dire performance.

Newcastle Team News

The Magpies remain without long-term injury victims in Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman. Emil Krafth will also play no part in the defence.

The big question mark is over Alexander Isak, who went off with a hip injury at Selhurst Park. Callum Wilson is back from injury and is on standby to replace the Swede up front.

Newcastle Motivation

The Magpies would take a draw here and may play quite conservatively from the start.

Eddie Howe’s side usually creates chances but gives up plenty of openings to the opposition. They could leak a few goals if they try to attack Liverpool.

Liverpool’s Current Form

Liverpool have won 11 of their 13 league matches this season and sit nine points clear of Arsenal in second place. Their last 16 matches have seen 15 wins and a 2-2 draw away at the Gunners having trailed 2-1. Successive wins over Brighton were followed by a 4-0 destruction of Bayer Leverkusen.

A 2-0 home win over Aston Villa was followed by a 3-2 win at Southampton where the Reds created six big chances. In two huge matches last week, they beat Real Madrid and Man City 2-0 in two outstanding performances where the margin of victory could have been bigger.

Liverpool Team News

Arne Slot is without Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas in defence whilst Ibrahima Konate missed the Man City match with Joe Gomez set to cover again.

Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker and Federico Chiese are close to comebacks but may not shake off injuries in time for this match. Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones should get starts as the coach rotates his XI.

Liverpool Motivation

The Reds will be hugely motivated to win this match and to keep their lead at nine points.

They will attack Newcastle but are also capable of defending deeper and using their searing pace on the counter attack.

Key Stats

Newcastle have won just 2 of their last 9 league matches (just 8 goals scored)

Newcastle have lost 3 of their last 6 EPL matches (1 draw, 2 wins)

Liverpool have won 18 of their 20 matches this season (46 goals scored)

Liverpool have scored 2+ goals in their last 8 matches

Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez has scored 3 goals in his last 3 matches vs Newcastle

Newcastle vs Liverpool Verdict

You can’t see past a Reds win with how they are playing. Nunez looks a great shout to score but be sure to check the starting XI one hour before kickoff.

Best Bet: Liverpool win at 1.80
Value Bet: Liverpool win and Over 2.5 goals at 2.45
Goalscorer Tip: Darwin Nunez to score anytime at 2.50 (odds TBC)