Leeds (H) – Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible XI and prediction

Olly Hawkins

After kicking off 2026 with Sunday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, this is a big chance to make it three wins in a row for the first time this season – but it won’t be easy.

Should we win? Yes. And we’ll have hopefully taken confidence from back-to-back wins, our first clean sheet in 13 games, nine wins from our last 11 at St James’ Park and the late rally that saw us come on strong over the weekend.

However, Leeds are no pushovers and have quietly gone on a seven-match unbeaten run since a 3-2 loss at Man City back in November, drawing five and winning two (3-1 vs Chelsea and 4-1 vs Palace) in a spell that’s pulled them eight clear of the drop zone.

Recent results suggest we’ll have to be on our game to beat them, but it’s a huge opportunity for Newcastle to really build momentum in this manic month of January, knowing a win could see us really close that two-point gap between us and Chelsea/Man Utd; who currently sit 5th and 6th on 31 points.

Speaking ahead of the game, after ruling himself out of the running at Man Utd, Eddie Howe said:

“It was a good feeling after the Crystal Palace game, it was a big win for us against tough opposition, it was a tight game. We were pleased to come out on the right side of it, now we have another home game, we love the evening games.”

Team news

Jacob Murphy has escaped an injury, but muscle fatigue in his hamstring means Howe will make a ‘late call’ in his involvement against Leeds, with Anthony Elanga close but not yet ready to return.

Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman are back, but we’re still without Dan Burn, Will Osula and Emil Krafth.

For Leeds, ex-Mag Sean Longstaff may return to the Leeds bench after recovering from a six-week injury, while right-back Jayden Bogle and centre-back Joe Rodon are ‘unlikely’ to recover in time.

Winger Dan James is ruled out, but holding midfielder Ethan Ampadu is back from a one-game ban that kept him out of their 1-1 draw with Man Utd on Sunday.

Predicted XI

(4-3-3): Pope – Livramento, Thiaw, Schar, Hall – Miley, Bruno, Joelinton – Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon.

OUT: Tonali, Murphy and Wissa IN: Livramento, Barnes, Woltemade.

At the back, Livramento’s return from injury could allow him to come back in at right-back, handing Miley the chance to move into midfield and Tonali a rest.

Based on Howe’s pre-match comments about Murphy’s muscle fatigue, Elanga being out and Barnes enjoying playing on the right, I can see this front three with Woltemade returning, with Wissa unlikely to start three games in eight days.

Match prediction

Leeds won’t be push overs, but I think we’ll build on Sunday’s late win and the confidence boost that’s hopefully given us, especially now those European spots are well within reach once again.

Barnes and Big Nick to score in a tight yet precious three points at St James’ Park.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Leeds

Howay the lads!

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

View all posts by Olly Hawkins →

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51 thoughts on “Leeds (H) – Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible XI and prediction”

  1. Leeds have definitely been playing well and Calvert Lewin has been very effective for them so this will be another tough game. We should come through it with a win, but again it depends on whether we turn up or not.

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  2. OLLY hope your right again,this is very hard one Leeds flying at the mo,your right Gilly which team is going to show up for this one or is the crack going to be some players need rest after last game,lets see

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  3. I agree that Leeds are in good form and it won’t be an easy game tonight.

    I don’t know about the fitness of Murphy and it may be that Howe only has Barnes & Gordon for the wide positions – which could be a problem in a month packed with fixtures.

    But he has both Wissa in Wolt pretty much fully up to speed and in form.

    We have all of our midfielders fit and available and with Trippier, Tino & Botman on the bench at the weekend – only Burn is missing from the defence.

    I hope based on the options Howe has he gets the selection right and we can win tonight.

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  4. Thoughts and prayers to special K who has been diagnosed with cancer. Hopefully he has caught it early and can beat it 🤞🏼🖤🤍

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  5. Wissa was a winger at Brentford so could play there in place of Murphy, but I doubt Eddie will play Walt and Wissa together. I expect Barnes on the right and Gordon on the left. Maybe Miley in the middle for Tonali and Tino in at right back. Let’s see

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  6. Sharpy17:
    Thoughts and prayers to special K who has been diagnosed with cancer.Hopefully he has caught it early and can beat it 🤞🏼🖤🤍

    Sharpy17:
    Thoughts and prayers to special K who has been diagnosed with cancer.Hopefully he has caught it early and can beat it 🤞🏼🖤🤍

    I just saw that! Hope he can get through it and it’s not too advanced

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  7. So front three confirmed, Gordon, Walt and Barnes but Murphy is on the bench. Miley at RB again. No Longstaff for Leeds.

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  9. Sharpy17:
    Thoughts and prayers to special K who has been diagnosed with cancer.Hopefully he has caught it early and can beat it

    Here here mate, gutted to hear he has the big C.

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  16. Barnesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
    good lad, took the goal to wake us up

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  23. Fuming! Absolutely raging at another ref/var doing us over. There needs to be a criminal investigation into the FA. 🤬🤬🤬

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  49. And Mackems down to 10th with a 3-0 loss.

    Miley man, what an absolutely outstanding player.

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  50. Why the godddam fu.ck are sky interviewing Sesko straight after our match? 😳😳🤬🤬. The manure s.hit is on another channel

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