After a quite incredible year, the final game of 2022 sees Newcastle United take on Leeds at St James’ Park.
Almost 12 months ago, it was a humongous 1-0 win at Elland Road that kick-started our survival push, but it beggars belief just how well things have gone under Eddie Howe ever since.
Since that meeting in late January, we’ve lost just twice in the Premier League – both to Liverpool by a single goal – going from relegation contenders to Champions League hopefuls. We entered 2022 a wounded animal in need of saving, but leave it mighty Mags who look every bit good enough to beat ‘big six’ rivals to a place in the top four.
The 3-0 win at Leicester was another statement win on Monday, reminding any naysayers that our standards were not about to drop following a six-week break for the World Cup.
If anything, we got better, highlighting what an outstanding job Eddie Howe continues to do off the pitch, keeping players grounded yet fiercely motivated to keep the momentum going.
Hopefully complacency doesn’t creep in and we can sign off a stunning year in style against a Leeds side looking to spoil the party!
Team news
Callum Wilson will be assessed ahead of the game after returning to training on Friday, with Howe confirming he’s in a “better place” after illness saw him miss our big win at Leicester.
Jonjo Shelvey, Emil Krafth and Alexander Isak have all been ruled out of the game. The former is set to be sidelined for six to eight weeks with a new calf injury, while Isak is “very close” to resuming first-team training, targeting a return to action in January.
For the visitors, Tyler Adams is set to return after missing their 3-1 defeat to Man City, with Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison also in contention. Patrick Bamford has been ruled out, however, alongside Stuart Dallas and Luis Sinisterra.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
The back four and midfield picks itself these days, but Howe has a couple of big decisions to make in attack.
Should Wilson be passed fit, it’ll be interesting to see if he keeps faith in Chris Wood – who scored from the spot and led the line admirably at Leicester – or brings our number nine straight back into his starting XI.
The other dilemma is on Allan Saint-Maximin. He often comes alive at St James’ Park and tore Leeds apart in this fixture last season, but will Howe change a side that won so convincingly at Leicester?
Joelinton was one of our star performers at the King Power and has never let us down from the left in recent months, yet he did go down on several occasions on Monday, not to mention the fact rotation will be needed over such a busy period.
With those two things in mind, I can see Saint-Maximin starting, with Wilson’s inclusion totally dependant on how well he’s recovered from illness.
Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier are fit to play, but it’s worth noting both are on four yellow cards, leaving them one booking away from a one-game ban.
Prediction
After years of Mike Ashley and several sub-par managers, it’s not normal for us Newcastle fans to win on a weekly basis.
However, this new-look side is showing no sign of letting up under the brilliant Eddie Howe. Couple that brilliant win over Leicester with our superb record at St James’ Park in 2022, there’s no reason why we can’t add to our tally with another big victory on Tyneside.
Leeds had Man City on the ropes in midweek, but I see them being outgunned in all areas if they try to go toe-to-toe with this high-energy Toon team who look ruthless in attack, dominant in midfield and supremely organised at the back.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Leeds
Wow, what a year 2022 has been for nufc for which the whole club should take a bow.
Here’s to continuing success into 2023
HNY to all
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Go West – I’ll second that mate. In their wildest dreams there’s not a Geordie out there that could see this 12 months ago.
Whilst it’s only been 12 months, you do feel it’s all been done right and built to last as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
With regards todays game – I’d probably agree with resting Joelinton coz I think we probably need him more fully fit against Arsenal.
But I’d be looking for Maxi to be more than just a dribbler. I have found myself agreeing with those who say he doesn’t fit in a Howe team – and suspect that’s why he’s not been getting his game recently.
If Isak was fit I think he’d play the left of Wilson. So I think Maxi has to show he can adapt to how we now play.
But I would also stick with Wood today and not risk Wilson today either – needing him more against Arsenal as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
C’mon Wolves. This Man U Wolves game is cr@p though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, unchanged team.
That’s what I predicted.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wilson on the bench. No sign of Matt Targett. Feel sorry for Targett. He’s done nothing wrong and is a great player, but he just cannot get into that defence.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’m almost at a point now, where I expect us to win every game we play. No matter who we play. I’ve not felt this way since Bobby Robson was our Manager! 😬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
C’MON THEN
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Good chance for Schar,hope it’s not gonna be one of those days
kimtoon(Quote)
another chance goes begging
kimtoon(Quote)
and another chance
kimtoon(Quote)
Really disappointed with Wood so far – he’s losing at physical battle with Cooper every time!!.
For such a big lump he really doesn’t put himself about enough like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hope Wilson comes on second half
kimtoon(Quote)
If that was anywhere else on the pitch it’s a foul & freekick – so how is it not a penalty FFS???!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Exactly like that!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
That was a very tough first half. We should definitely have had a penalty. 😡. And never a yellow for trips. It’s going to one of those games
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Very wasteful .. I counted five good chances
Trippier is awesome today .. sad he’ll miss arsenal game
Willock is ajoy to watch today and has his game on and I really want joelinton to tw4t the irritating marsch
That was a penalty on schar .. surprised it didn’t go to var
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Does that yellow mean that trips misses Arsenal?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We will get nothing from ref and var today…
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Oh Sean .. that had to count
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
frustrating day so far, gutted trips misses Arsenal and should of had a pen
kimtoon(Quote)
Our set pieces today have been so poor!!!.
We’ve got Schar, Botman, Burn, Joelinton and had Wood on the pitch today and the amount of times the keeper has just plucked it out the air.
We’ve dominated again but lacked that clinical finishing.
3 points dropped this imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Tough watch that like
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well we really should of gotten something from that game.
kimtoon(Quote)
I was disappointed with Longstaff & Willock today. They didn’t play awful but equally neither stepped up. Thought there was times in the game that both could have done more.
I can’t get my head round the fact we didn’t get that penalty though – or that the ref wasn’t at least invited to have another look at it.
Then minutes later he not only gives a foul & freekick for a carbon copy incident with Tripper – but also books Trippier meaning he misses our next game.
So one is absolutely nothing given and the other is a freekick & yellow card?!?!?!!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
My biggest disappointment of the day though was Wood.
I would sell him to the first club that come asking – especially if they were prepared to pay even half what we paid for him!!.
The young Aussie lad is on his way now – but if he can’t get a work permit we loan him out so he comes in next season.
Wilson seems fit again & Isak is on his way back. But if they get injured again I’d rather play Joelinton up front than Wood. I know it’s not Joes best position & he’s not likely to score loads more goals than Wood – but I feel he’d use his physical strength far better than Wood does.
If we go on to sign Thuram then there’s another option.
But whatever, I want to see us more Wood on coz imo he’s nowhere near good enough.
Sharpy17(Quote)
He’s chosen m/u mate,pity like I liked him
Icedog(Quote)