Newcastle United take on Leeds United in midweek clash.
Newcastle United vs Leeds United kicks off at 20:15 [GMT] on Wednesday, January 7, at St. James’ Park.
Ninth-placed Newcastle United [LDLWW] and Leeds United meet at St. James’ Park with several contrasting trends shaping an intriguing Premier League contest. Recent head-to-head form slightly favours Leeds. Newcastle have won just one of their last seven league meetings with the Whites, a narrow 1-0 victory at Elland Road in January 2022. Leeds have also been difficult opponents on Tyneside in recent years, going unbeaten in their last three Premier League visits to St James’ Park, although overall their away record there remains mixed. Meanwhile, Newcastle come into this fixture in strong domestic form. Eddie Howe’s side have won their last two league matches and are unbeaten in seven at home, winning five and drawing two. Notably, the Magpies have scored exactly twice in each of those seven home games, underlining a blend of consistency and control in front of their own supporters. They have also developed a formidable record against newly promoted sides at home, going unbeaten in their last 13 such matches, with five consecutive wins. A 4—3—3 formation with Wissa, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon in attack is expected against the Whites.
Leeds [DWDDD] head into Wednesday’s midweek clash after settling for a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, one that saw the end of Ruben Amorim’s tenure as United manager. Meanwhile, they have built momentum on the road through resilience rather than dominance. They are unbeaten in their last three away league games, all of which ended in draws. They will be aiming to extend that run to four for the first time since December 2001. However, their tendency to concede from high turnovers could be a concern against a Newcastle side that leads the league in pressed sequences this season. The tactical battle on the touchline adds another layer. Eddie Howe has never lost a Premier League match against Leeds, but he has yet to record a top-flight victory over Leeds boss Daniel Farke. This managerial subplot could prove influential in a tightly contested encounter. Individual matchups may also play a decisive role. Harvey Barnes has a strong scoring record against Leeds, netting six league goals against them in his career, while Leeds forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin has enjoyed facing Newcastle, scoring six Premier League goals against the Magpies. With Newcastle’s formidable home form set against Leeds’ growing away resilience, the fixture promises a competitive balance between intensity, pressing, and patience—with fine margins likely to decide the outcome. A 3—5—2 formation with Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack is expected against the Magpies.