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Paul Merson has been discussing Newcastle United and our season up to now throughout his prediction piece for right now’s upcoming conflict with Leicester Metropolis.
A latest resurgence for the Foxes below new supervisor Ruud van Nistelrooy, paired with our staggering inconsistency and struggles in opposition to ‘weaker’ Premier League opponents units the tone for right now’s 3pm kick-off on Tyneside.
Whereas some have one eye on the midweek Carabao Cup quarter-final in opposition to Brentford, an enormous 90 minutes for Eddie Howe lays forward as we glance to enhance on a poor begin to the season.
After backing final weekend’s journey to the Bees (4-2) to finish 2-2, Merson thinks this shall be one other sport of objectives, an enormous likelihood for Twelfth-place Newcastle to climb up the desk after a season stuffed with inconsistencies.
Chatting with Sportskeeda, Merson had this to say when previewing the 3pm kick-off at St James’ Park:
“It’s true that Leicester have 4 factors in two video games below Ruud van Nistelrooy and that’s an excellent begin. Nonetheless, it might be naïve to assume that they are going to get a end result away from dwelling at Newcastle.
“I’m a agency believer of the truth that attracts don’t assist anyone in soccer. When you draw two video games, it’s two factors. When you lose one and win the subsequent, it’s extra factors. Leicester should attempt to get extra factors, that’s the one manner they’ll keep up on this division.
“Newcastle have gotten no consistency, they’re up and down on a regular basis. It exhibits within the desk as effectively, they’re now in Twelfth place. I do know it’s solely 5 factors away from the European locations, however nonetheless you’ll count on them to be loads greater. They need to begin being constant now.
“This sport presents them with a wonderful alternative to climb up the desk and something lower than a win could be massively disappointing.”
Merson’s prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Leicester
It’s a good evaluation. Finally removed from a typical finish of season ‘must-win’ in a relegation dogfight or European push, Newcastle nonetheless need to be aiming to get the utmost factors on the board and construct the important thing factor our season has been missing – consistency.
Although now we have suffered defeats at dwelling this season to each West Ham and Brighton, St. James will all the time be removed from an interesting journey for any visiting facet and Saturday shall be no exception. The intention needs to be handy van Nistelrooy his first defeat as Leicester gaffer.
Strain is actually mounting on Howe and, whereas a defeat on Saturday wouldn’t be deemed a sackable offence in itself, we merely have to construct momentum and begin wanting up the desk to avoid wasting our season.
Sure, Sven Botman’s prolonged absence alone means now we have by no means been at full energy this marketing campaign – however Twelfth at Christmas doesn’t really feel near the place this facet needs to be given our performances in seasons passed by.
The Brentford defeat nonetheless firmly on the reminiscence, the prospect to avenge in quarter-final motion on Wednesday turns into that little bit simpler if we will bounce again on the weekend.
