Today is the 125th birthday of our beloved Newcastle United Football Club, however it’s fair to say that the celebrations won’t last long if we can’t come away from this one with a good result.
There were glimpses of improvements in last week’s battling draw at West Brom and strong start at Stamford Bridge over the weekend, but the same mistakes have continued to cost us all over the pitch – especially at the back.
With five defeats and a draw in our last six, these things must change, and fast, with us entering a busy and crucial December in search of some much needed points.
With it under the lights, on the day of our 125th birthday and some inspired flag displays set to be unveiled at both ends, this has the makings of a game where we’ll show up and do ourselves, Benitez and our club justice. Let’s hope so – especially when wins at this stage could be essential as far as Staveley upping her bid is concerned.
Leicester won’t make it easy at all mind. They’ve lost just once in their last five and won two on the spin, with them currently the best of the rest in 9th, being the next in line behind the high-flying Burnley and Watford and the’ top six’.
They have pace and penetration in their team and will punish us if we give them the sort of opportunities on the counter that we handed Watford and Bournemouth in our last two home games.
They’ll be arriving confident of getting a result, but with Rafa Benitez having never lose three Premier League home games in a row, he and we should have something to say about that.
The Team
Darlow should retain his place in goal. He was the pick of the bunch at Stamford Bridge last weekend, making some great one-on-one stops.
With Lascelles deemed fit by Benitez yesterday, you’d hope he will come back in. We’ve missed his presence and leadership badly in recent weeks, conceding 12 goals in the four games he’s missed since hobbling off against Bournemouth last month.
If he does come back in, will it be Clark or Lejeune playing alongside him? Hopefully Lejeune for me. He’s tried to be a bit too clever in recent weeks, reminding me of Coloccini’s early days in England, and he’s been caught out, but that can’t take away from how promising he looked alongside Lascelles earlier in the seaso.
At right-back, Manquillo did look far more comfortable down his natural side against Chelsea last weekend, but I’d bring Yedlin back in. He has the pace to handle Leicester’s Demarai Gray and, despite his recent string of mistakes, I don’t think there’s a better right-back at our club. Hopefully he’s learnt his lesson after being dropped last Saturday.
With Dummett still out, Mbemba has to be used at left-back once again. He’ll be up against Riyad Mahrez, but he’s good in one on one situations, tending to time his tackles/interceptions well, so he’s the best man for the job today for me. He’ll have to stay switched on mind, with him failing to react to a few crosses against West Brom and Chelsea.
To the midfield. Short and simple, Merino and Shelvey have to be given a run in the side in the middle of the park. They’re out two must talented midfielders and their styles have the potential to compliment each other.
We’ve been so used to saying Ritchie without hesitation, but his name shouldn’t be the first on the team sheet after a string of below par displays from him. He was woeful at Chelsea and with Christian Atsu back in contention you is his place under threat? I’d stick with him, but he needs to pull his socks up.
Atsu’s return is a boost, with him having nailed down his place in the side following some bright early-season displays, however I doubt he’ll be thrown back in today. Murphy was voted November’s player of the month at NUFC and has gone from strength to strength in his absence. He deserves another shot in the side.
With Rafa no doubt keen to see us back to the organised team we looked earlier in the season, I think we’ll see Perez start again. He’ll be the runner, but I would like to see him get on the ball more and carry much more of a threat in the final third. Will the real Ayoze Perez please stand up – he reminded me of a poor mans Suarez in some of his play several years ago but just seems to have lost his spark.
Up top you’d think Gayle will keep his place. He got his second goal in three games against Chelsea last weekend and looks much sharper and energetic than he did earlier in the season.
There’s always a good chance of Joselu being given the nod and always a good chance that fans will chant for Mitrovic’s name, but I’m not sure either will get in ahead of Gayle today.
The Opposition
In attack the threats are pretty clear. Vardy’s pace and intensity paired with Mahrez’s trickery on the right. Demarai Gray is still a little raw, but he’ll give them a real outlet out wide if selected. He’s very quick.
Iborra and Ndidi will be a tough midfield duo to crack. Physically imposing and energetic.
Harry Maguire is a monster at the back for them (and a player I kinda wish we signed). He’s strong in the air and surprisingly good on the ground, being capable of bringing the ball out of the back despite his size.
For an inside look at the oppositions strengths and weaknesses, see this week’s edition of ‘The Opposition Opinion’ where we’ve gained the thoughts of a Leicester fan this week. A bit of recommended reading ahead of today’s game! Click here to read it.
Form
Newcastle – 15th (15 pts) – Last 5 in the league – Won: 0 / Drawn: 1 / Lost: 4
Leicester – 9th – (20 pts) – Last 5 in the league / Won: 2 / Drawn: 2 / Lost: 1
Team News
Benitez delivered some great news on the injury front yesterday. Jamaal Lascelles and Christian Atsu are fit and both look set to return to the NUFC squad. Whether both will start is debetable.
Paul Dummett (hamstring) played for the U-23’s last night, so he’s nearing a return but won’t be in the squad for this one.
No fresh injuries for Leicester. Robert Huth (ankle) and Matty James (Achilles) are still out, with the German centre-halve yet to appear so far this season.
Predicted Line-ups
Newcastle XI – (4-2-3-1) – Darlow – Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Mbemba – Merino, Shelvey– Ritchie, Perez, Murphy – Gayle
Leicester XI – (4-4-1): Schmeichel – Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell – Mahrez, Iborra, Ndidi, Albrighton – Gray – Vardy.
Head-to-Heads
Not great is it. Four defeats in our last four meetings and without a goal in our last four against the Foxes. That’ll need to change if we want to pick up three points today!
Match Prediction
Rafa’s never lost three top flight home games on the trot in England and Claude Puel has never won three in a row in the Premier League. It’s not the basis of my prediction, but I think both will maintain their records today as I fancy a draw.
I think we’ll be much better and I expect there to be a good atmosphere, but I rate this Leicester. They have a strong spine but are dangerous out wide and Mahrez and Vardy can be devastating on their day – as we saw in their 3-0 demolition of us on their way to the title two years ago.
We need to manage the atmosphere. Our need for a win can’t allow us to push forward a little too exuberantly as this Leicester side will destroy us on the counter.
I fancy a few goals, but reckon this one will end all square.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Leicester
Howay the lads!
Should be a great day at the match today. 125 year celebrations, few former players and legends at the game, great flag display and will lead to a great atmosphere. Can only mean one thing – we’ll get beat. 👿
Stuart79(Quote)
Thanks Olly, yeah, great day lined up and it’s on tv too, so as Stu says we’ll get beat.
I can’t agree on Yedlin though Olly, yes he’s quick but I find him poor defensively and at the end of the day that’s his job first and foremost . If he plays he’ll have to be very disciplined in his positioning and if he repeats previous mistakes we will surely pay the price.
Not an easy game at all this one, even having Lascelles back doesn’t make that big a difference, we’ll benefit from his leadership skills but he won’t be fully match fit and I don’t want to see him overdoing it and suffering a set back. Maybe prudent just to give him a half only rather than the full 90?
Oh and Mitro on from start or for long enough to impact the game rather than when the game is lost please Rafa.
kimtoon(Quote)
Olly – surprised you didn’t mention Albrighton. His crossing can be devastating. I’d still go with Yedlin – at the very least his recovery pace is fantastic. Mbemba at LB too. If Perez gets the nod it’s got to be last chance mate.
georgio(Quote)
I’m with Olly on Yedlin. We’ll need his pace as cover due to Vardy. He can sweep up quite a bit with his pace.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, Let’s hope he does mate .
kimtoon(Quote)
Greatest XI votes for by 8,000 people;
Given
Craig
Beresford
Moncur
Albert
Gazza
Beardsley
Ginola
Shearer
Keegan
Milburn
Even the defenders liked attacking. I doubt the opposition would get the ball.
Wonder how many will be here today..
Stuart79(Quote)
jabba says he has had a bid of £320 mil from a second bidder! do i think hes telling the truth Mmmmm
icedog(Quote)
we’ll see mate, not sure I believe that
kimtoon(Quote)
W/Ham playing really well.dam 😈
icedog(Quote)
I know mate, it’s a joke
kimtoon(Quote)
well well, who’d of thought it. bloody hammers
kimtoon(Quote)
To be fair, watching WH today, that was exactly the kind of workrate and desire I thought we lacked last week. They have the quality to win the game, which is the difference. But I didn’t see that organisation and discipline from us against Chelsea last week.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We need to start getting results now.
shamrock(Quote)
Whilst it’s a good win for WH – it doesn’t get them out the bottom 3 and that must still hurt a bit.
If we can get a win or even a draw today, then I think we can dismiss the last 2 games as being Man Utd & Chelsea and games we weren’t going to pick points up from. But loose today and it could become a real concerning slump.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Moyes had them playing anti-football.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It was really painful to watch. The ***** brothers might be happy though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
that was a derby really cannot see W/H taking that to every game,plus Chelsea had a real off day imo
icedog(Quote)
How many shampoo commercials will Joe Hart get now that he has been dropped by Man City, Torino, and now West Ham. England next.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hopefully we win today for Ashley’s last game as owner. I dont want to see no tears
Terry(Quote)
Unless there tears of joy obviously
Terry(Quote)
Pards got another job!!!!! He will keep them up as well until they discover the Emperor has no clothes.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
West Ham beat Chelsea last season in the cup didn’t they?, perhaps a bogey team away for Chelsea.
kimtoon(Quote)
I hope Ashley has the best interest’s of the club long term when it comes to a take over instead of his own personal greed. I understand everyone wants him gone but to a Chinese owner that’s risky.
Terry(Quote)
Hudders beating Brighton
kimtoon(Quote)
He won’t give a **** where we go after he’s gone, let’s face it he doesn’t give a toss as owner let alone ex owner.
kimtoon(Quote)
Cardiff and Blackburn are fine examples.
Terry(Quote)
Good point. Can’t give him too much space.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Fair enough mate, Yedlin has been awful recently.
I just think we’ll be up for it today and he’s the sort of player who’ll thrive when there’s a good energy in the ground. He must be much more switched on mind, but I’m hoping he’ll have learnt some lessons.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
I you sum Ashley up well. His very bad at running a football club and money mean’s everything to him but how many fan’s could suffer by another bad owner . If its a option of Amanda Stavely or a Chinese owner I would pick Amanda Stavely everyday of the week. No-one really know’s I guess but there’s got to be more hope without Ashley.
Terry(Quote)
said we should of bought Defoe 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Olly, I hope he has a cracker if he plays mate, I so want him to do well but he does make me nervous.
kimtoon(Quote)
I like this idea so much!
funrafa(Quote)
There is no Chinese investor. China strengthened their oversea investment policy. They are not allowed to invest in foreign soccer clubs anymore. They are not in the picture now.
I am not sure Amanda will be a good owner. My preference is mid east oil tycoon, because they seem always ambitious. But anyone who replace Ashley now is welcome by me, as no one can be worse than him in terms of managing a football club.
funrafa(Quote)
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Beresford and Ginola lucky to have the greatest ever side. Even Keegan as a player only really performed in the second tier
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Can I just say before the game starts that I hate Christo and de Kooning. Neither play for Leicester.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Toby, nice to see you on again 🙂
kimtoon(Quote)
what is it with Zaha getting pens!
And it’s missed 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
is it me or does he win a lot of pens
kimtoon(Quote)
Well Lascelles and Shelvey on the bench. Looks like a 442. Glad Gayle starting. Joselu really needs to start producing…
shamrock(Quote)
Toby – good to see you on buddy ?.
Well I think most of the results have been fairly favourable to us today.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: hopefully the main one will be favourable – a NUFC win!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Last chance saloon???
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Isn’t Clattenberg a bit of ***?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yes he is Eric.
shamrock(Quote)
My humble opion: in this formation and starts, Joselu is more of defence and assistant attacking function. Rafa is looking to Gayle to score …
funrafa(Quote)
Leicester are a dangerous team and masters of the 4-4-2. For me it’s a little risky going likely for like – I’m surprised he has to be honest.
I think it’s long past due that Joselu repays Rafas faith in him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well I’m not looking forward to this one to be honest as it’s almost a must win… Leicester have a very good record against us and it will be tough. Amazing to see Shelvey on the bench and Joselu playing… he really needs to perform today.
Nervous about this. A win will take us up to 10th I think, at least until the matches tomorrow.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Surely today of all days the lads need to bring it and get a result.
shamrock(Quote)
HWTL c’mon
kimtoon(Quote)
Come on. This is the Toon. Look at that crowd. Got to win today.
shamrock(Quote)
GET INNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Joselu, well done lad, now take confidence from that and push on
kimtoon(Quote)
****
kimtoon(Quote)
What is Darlow dong?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Starting to suffer a bit now..
shamrock(Quote)
doing
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Darlow has been ****. Not sold on him at all.
shamrock(Quote)
We have Arlo White commentating. A Leicester fan who bores you with his legal pad commentating giving you every fact you never wanted to hear, ever. Ex-radio, so describes every bit of non-action. **** his pants when Leicester scored. C@NT.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We are not a really good team are we? Letting Leicester dictate…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Merino is pissing me off.
shamrock(Quote)
We gonna need to score at least two more to win this game. Where are they coming from?
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Fucking lethargic and clearly cant handle the pressure today.
shamrock(Quote)
Better.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yeah. I am watching Merino. He has been hiding so far.
shamrock(Quote)
We start like a train then the second the opposition get a goal we drop off and look like frightened kittens ! wtf is going on, it’s been like this last few games in truth.
If they can’t get up for it on today of all days we are done for.
kimtoon(Quote)
We just need to keep our workrate high and press them on the ball – they keep giving us the ball when we do. Give them time to pass and move and they are causing us huge problems.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sod it, bring on Mitro, Shelvey and Lascelles second half before anymore damage gets done
kimtoon(Quote)
spot on mate
kimtoon(Quote)
giving them way too much respect at the mo
kimtoon(Quote)
If only Gayles shot had gone in, at 2 up I reckon we’d have gone on well as the place was rocking
kimtoon(Quote)
Hook Merino and get Shelvey on. He is a liability today. No heart. Not interested.
shamrock(Quote)
At least we got to half time with out conceding a second
kimtoon(Quote)
Good first 5 mins and excellent goal from Joselu, but then total **** after that. Too many missed chances and don’t know what’s up with Merino… it’s like he got injured and replaced by his **** twin… we are giving the ball away way too easily all over the park… need a good **** kicking at half time. Worried about this one. ☹️☹️☹️
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Kim – that was what pissed me off against Utd & Chelsea too. We started well and gave them no time on the ball – til they equalised. Then we sat in and looked like our aim was to just keep the score down!!.
We may not have the quality, but if these players can’t work hard for 90mins they want shooting!!.
Actually it’s not even 90mins – it’s like 20mins or something like that (when the opponent equalises).
Let’s have a good start to the 2nd half boys!!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)