Wolves (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & score prediction
If last week's capitulation at Spurs wasn't enough of a warning, Burnley's big win over Everton on Wednesday night was another reminder that we aren't out of this relegation battle just yet.
Eddie Howe made a point of driving home this message in his press conference on Thursday morning, believing our clash with Wolves on Friday night is the perfect chance to regain momentum and respond after that horror-show at Spurs.
After three straight defeats and a rarely-seen run of four away games on the trot, our return to St James' Park probably comes right when we need it, with our clash with Wolves the first of four winnable April fixtures.
Despite losing just one game less than Newcastle all season, Wolves arrive knowing a win would take them up to 6th, giving them plenty incentive heading into a fixtures that's ended 1-1 in our last two meetings on Tyneside.
Some may feel another point edges us towards safety and stops the rot, but this feels like a chance to bounce back from recent defeats and take another huge step towards Premier League survival with a win under the lights at St James' Park.
Team news
Joe Willock is facing a late fitness test after picking up a "slight knee problem", while Eddie Howe has admitted there's still some illness within the camp that could impact his team selection.
Bruno Guimaraes is pushing for his first start at St James' Park and Miguel Almiron is back available after missing out at Spurs, however we'll be without Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson once again.
For Wolves, Raul Jimenez is suspended and Ruben Neves will miss out with a knee injury, however right-back Nelson Semedo could return after resuming training this week.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Guimaraes, Shelvey, Joelinton – Fraser, Wood, Saint-Maximin.
Martin Dubravka – Will hopefully receive more protection than he got in our last game! We've been solid at home since Howe came in and the Slovakian has been a calming figure between the sticks.
Emil Krafth – The Swede seems likely to come back in given how poor Manquillo was at Tottenham. He's limited and lacks quality at this level, however Krafth always gives 110% and has rarely let Howe down in recent months.
Fabian Schar – Scored last weekend but it went downhill from there. It would not surprise me if Lascelles returned to the side for this one after we shipped five at Spurs, but the return of a back three may be needed to make that happen as Schar has only failed to start one of Howe's 19 games in charge.
Dan Burn – Is facing the first early test of his NUFC career after he's been at fault for goals in each of our last three. Let's hope he can respond with a commanding display here!
Matt Targett – Had his worst game in a Newcastle shirt last weekend so will be looking to put that right here in his bid to secure a permanent move this summer.
Bruno Guimaraes – Regardless of Willock's knee issue, the Brazilian looks nailed on to come into Howe's starting XI here. His quality on the ball and steely determination off it could be needed against a tough Wolves midfield.
Jonjo Shelvey – Looked off the pace last weekend but has generally been much improved under Howe and one of the first names on the team sheet.
Joelinton – Came off at Spurs feeling unwell, but will surely keep his place if he's recovered from illness. Hopefully the big man is back to his disruptive best in the middle of the park!
Ryan Fraser – Was anonymous at Spurs, offering so little down the right. However, his energy and creativity was a huge part of our nine-game unbeaten run so I'd expect him to start again.
Allan Saint-Maximin – Tried to make things happen last weekend but so little came off. Howe has rubbished claims he could leave this summer, so hopefully we see the ASM we all know and love put in a match-winning display under the lights!
Chris Wood – Endured a busy and long international break over in New Zealand and it showed at Tottenham. Could do with a goal at SJP, but he's proven in the past how effective he can be by working hard, occupying men and bringing others into play.
Predicted Wolves XI (3-4-2-1): Sa - Boly, Coady, Kilman - Jonny, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Marcal - Trincao, Podence - Silva.
Match prediction
This fixture has ended 1-1 in each of our last two meetings at St James' Park, but I think we'll go one better here and come away with a hard fought win.
Wolves may have won three of their last four games, but they were fortunate to beat Aston Villa last weekend and could come up against a Newcastle side desperate to respond to recent defeats in front of a sold out crowd.
Wood to score his first goal at St James' Park, Guimaraes to run the show and Saint-Maximin to wreak havoc in a 2-1 victory for Howe's mighty mags!
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Wolves
