Watch for our thoughts ahead of Wolves V Newcastle
TEAM NEWS
Wolves have a mixed injury and availability picture ahead of the game. Tawanda Chirewa has not trained this week due to illness, so he will need a late check before being considered. There is a boost, though, with Emmanuel Agbadou back with the squad after AFCON, which adds another option at the back. Jean Ricner Bellegarde remains unavailable, while Toti is still out with a hamstring injury and is not expected back until February.
Wolves face a Newcastle side that is still dealing with several injuries, especially in defence, even if there are a couple of boosts on the horizon. Striker William Osula is close to returning after an 11-week lay-off with an ankle issue, with Eddie Howe saying his return to training is “imminent” and a decision on squad involvement will come soon. Dan Burn is also working his way back after broken ribs and a punctured lung, and is running again, but this trip may arrive too early as he manages the pain. Newcastle remain short of defensive options with Tino Livramento out long term (hamstring), Fabian Schar expected to miss around three months after ankle surgery, and Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles also unavailable. Jacob Murphy is also set to miss out with a hamstring problem.
ROB EDWARDS
Emmanuel Agbadou is back from Afcon and available for selection, while Tawanda Chirewa has been ill so has not trained this week.
Edwards on the “good feeling” in the squad: “We’re in a difficult position but you’ve still got to enjoy coming to work, people are allowed to smile and laugh.” His message for players is to continue to progress “slowly, but surely”.
On the “complex” January window: “If certain players are to go, we dictate that – then, we’ll look at where we can add. We’re always thinking about the jigsaw puzzle and making sure we have a good balance when the window closes. “
He added: “There’s a lot of lads around who want to right some of the wrongs, and want to help the club and do well for themselves and for the football club as well. They are genuinely all committed – which isn’t to say no one is going to go – but it’s not like people are banging the door down or trying to force anything.”
Edwards said that “attitude, ability and athleticism” are the three key factors when considering new additions.
On Marshall Munetsi’s loan move to Paris FC: “He’s a great guy. It’s the right thing for him, with the numbers in that midfield area, and it’s the right thing for the football club as well.”
On transfer speculation around defender Agbadou and midfielder Joao Gomes: “They’re here and they’re committed. We’ll treat everything on an individual basis.”
Edwards is looking forward to a “really difficult” but “exciting” game against Newcastle.
On strikers Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Arokodare: “They can play together and be effective. It’s important the people don’t think ‘it’s him or him’.”
MATCH STATS & FACTS
Wolves have won just two of their 21 Premier League games against Newcastle (10%) – only against Liverpool (9%, 2/23) do they have a lower win rate among sides they’ve faced 10+ times in the competition.
Newcastle have won six of their last eight Premier League games against Wolves (D2), including each of the last four in a row. It’s as many victories as they’d managed in their previous 28 league games against them (W6 D12 L10).
Both teams have scored in all 10 Premier League meetings between Wolves and Newcastle at Molineux, the most played exact fixture never to see a team keep a clean sheet in the competition.
Wolves are unbeaten in their last three Premier League games (W1 D2), earning more points from these matches (5) than they had from their previous 22 combined (3 – W0 D3 L19).
Newcastle have won their last three Premier League games, their longest winning run since a run of five in March/April last season. Meanwhile, the Magpies are looking to win their first three league games in a calendar year for the first time since 1996.
Despite only Arsenal (90) and Everton (127) having fewer high turnovers against them than Wolves (128) in the Premier League this season, Wolves have conceded more goals from these situations than any other side (6).
Only three teams scored more goals from high turnovers than Newcastle (9) in the Premier League last season. However, this term no side has scored fewer than the Magpies (1).
70% of Newcastle’s goals conceded in the Premier League this season have come in the second half of games (19/27), the highest share in the division. However, Wolves have scored the fewest goals after half time both overall (5) and as an overall percentage (33%) this term.
18-year-old Mateus Mané has scored in each of his last two Premier League games for Wolves. Only four players aged 18 and under have scored in three in a row – Michael Owen (twice, 1997 and 1998), Danny Cadamarteri (1997), Francis Jeffers (1999) and Mason Greenwood (2020).
Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães has made more defensive line-breaking passes than any other player in the Premier League this season (34).
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Sam Barrott. Assistants: Tim Wood, Wade Smith. Fourth official: Simon Hooper. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Richard West.
FORM GUIDE (ALL COMPETITIONS)
HEAD TO HEAD (ALL COMPETITIONS)
