Bottom-placed Wolves face Newcastle United in weekend clash.
Wolves vs. Newcastle United kicks off at 18:00 [GMT] on Sunday, January 18, at the Molineux.
Bottom-placed Wolves [LLDWD] welcome Newcastle United to Molineux in a fixture that has consistently delivered goals, drama, and a clear historical edge for the visitors. While recent form offers Wolves some encouragement, the broader trends suggest Newcastle arrive with confidence and control in this matchup. Historically, this has been a difficult fixture for Wolves. They have won just two of their 21 Premier League meetings with Newcastle, a win rate of only 10%, with only Liverpool proving a tougher opponent for them in the competition. One of the most remarkable patterns in this fixture has been its consistency for goals at Molineux. Both teams have scored in all 10 Premier League meetings between Wolves and Newcastle at the ground, making it the most-played exact fixture in Premier League history without a single clean sheet for either side. That trend points towards an open contest once again, regardless of form or league position. Wolves do, however, come into this match with a sense of renewed belief. They are unbeaten in their last three Premier League games (one win, two draws), already collecting more points in that short run than they had managed across their previous 22 league matches combined. While that speaks to just how difficult their season has been overall, it also suggests that confidence and resilience are slowly returning. A major positive has been the emergence of 18-year-old Mateus Mané, who has scored in each of his last two Premier League appearances. Another goal here would see him join an elite list of teenagers to score in three consecutive league games. A 3—5—2 formation with Arokodare and Hwang Hee-Chan in attack is expected against the Magpies.
Newcastle make their return to Premier League action sitting in 6th place with only three points keeping them adrift of 4th-placed Liverpool. They make this trip hoping to close the gap to the section, and luckily, they have enjoyed a surge in dominance in recent seasons. Newcastle have won six of the last eight league meetings with Wolves, including four consecutive victories. That recent run alone equals the total number of wins the Magpies had managed in the previous 28 Premier League clashes between the sides, underlining how the balance has shifted. Newcastle, meanwhile, arrives with greater stability and control in midfield, anchored by Bruno Guimarães, who leads the Premier League this season for defensive line-breaking passes. He will be looking to make his mark once again when Newcastle appear with the familiar 4—3—3 formation. Woltermade, Anthony Gordon, and Harvey Barnes could form the attacking trio.