Paul Merson talks about Newcastle United.
NUFC as five months of the season have passed.
Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United players have now moved to 2026.
A very intense period in which Newcastle played every midweek, because of the Champions League and Carabao Cup, but also the Premier League, while the FA Cup is now also quickly approaching this weekend.
Eddie Howe and his team prepare for their next match.
Kick-off tonight at 8.15 pm, at home against Leeds United.
Paul Merson discusses where things stand for Newcastle United as they prepare for the clash at St James’ Park.
Ahead of tonight’s match, Paul Merson told Sportskeeda; “Newcastle weren’t great the other day. Even though they beat Crystal Palace 2-0, I wasn’t really impressed with the performance. I was surprised that Nick Woltemade didn’t come off the bench faster in that game. Newcastle were up against a back three and he would have been useful from the start.”
Newcastle weren’t outstanding by any means, BUT they were up against a tough opponent who had some really good players and an excellent manager. Yes, Palace are missing players (as Newcastle still do), but the fact is they arrived at St James’ Park having conceded just nine goals in their nine previous PL away games AND had a record of five away wins, one draw and just three defeats.
Eddie Howe’s side played reasonably well I thought and were patient, Crystal Palace were limited to just one effort on target the entire match. Newcastle created virtually all the chances and only a combination of Dean Henderson, good defending and what could have been more clinical finishing, plus a ridiculously marginal VAR offside against Yoane Wissa, prevented United from winning the game early.
Eddie Howe now has Yoane Wissa available and wants him to get fully match fit, while at the same time Nick Woltemade gets some hard-earned time on the bench after having to play virtually every game in Wissa’s absence.
Newcastle United gained more and more control and when Eddie Howe brought on three substitutions (Barnes, Livramento and Ramsey) in the 63rd minute, that really finished off Palace. United went up a gear with fresh legs and just eight minutes later Bruno scored the opening goal after sustained pressure. When Palace rocked, Thiaw got the second seven minutes later to finish them off. That came from a corner and just before it was taken, it was when Woltemade came off the bench for Wissa. His extra presence did no harm and caused further problems for a Palace team who had struggled to deal with Newcastle’s set pieces all match.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Paul Merson also said: “Leeds are doing very well. They steal points in difficult games if West Ham fail to win easier games. It is a huge boost for Leeds’ ambitions to avoid relegation.”
He’s not wrong.
Third-placed West Ham lost 2-1 at home to Forest on Tuesday evening and are now seven points behind Sean Dyche’s side and eight behind Leeds United, who have played a game less. As Paul Merson says, Leeds are picking up points and are unbeaten in their last seven games, although that has come about through five draws and only two wins.
Paul Merson makes his match prediction and declares: “Given the way both teams are playing, I wouldn’t be surprised if Leeds get something out of this game. I’m looking for an entertaining game.” [2-2] sign here.”
I don’t take a Newcastle United win for granted, but I do think Eddie Howe’s side should win this one.
The reality is that only Wolves and Burnley have taken fewer away points than the six out of thirty that Leeds managed. Farke’s team scored just nine goals in their ten away PL games and five of those came in two games, while the other eight yielded just four Leeds PL away goals. Only two goals have been scored in Leeds’ last three away games.
In contrast, Newcastle United have had such consistent, very good home form; Eddie Howe’s side have won nine and drawn two in their last eleven home games in all competitions, while scoring at least two goals in all of these last eleven home games.
I think Nick Pope’s return has made a huge difference in the last two Premier League games as Newcastle have taken six points, scored five goals and only conceded one.
Leeds have conceded twenty goals in their ten away games in the Premier League, an average of exactly two per game during their travels.
Much of this information and form points to a very likely 2-0 home win for Newcastle United.
#Paul #Merson #rates #Newcastle #United #find