Wolves (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & score prediction
It's been quite a seven days at little old Newcastle United. A Premier League classic at St James' Park last Sunday saw us come away with a 3-3 draw against Man City, which was followed by a Carabao Cup win over Tranmere and the arrival of a new club record striker.
Alexander Isak has joined the club in a record-breaking deal worth an initial £58m, ending our summer-long wait for an injection of quality in attack.
The 22-year-old is one of THE most exciting young strikers in Europe and is a real statement of intent from our new owners, handing Eddie Howe a huge talent who offers pace, pressing and real technical ability.
As for the challenge ahead this weekend, we face Wolves at Molineux at 2pm on Sunday. We'll be bidding to secure our first away win of the season and keep the unbeaten run going, with the hosts hoping to win their first game of the season after two defeats and a draw so far.
The hosts have quality in wide areas and a very good midfield, but often lack that focal point or proven goalscorer in the final third.
It won't be easy, as they were comfortably the better side in the first half of last week's narrow defeat to Spurs, but if we can replicate that high-intensity and attacking display that saw us rattle the champions, we can definitely come away from Wolves with a precious away win.
Team news
New signing Alexander Isak will be eligible to feature if he is granted international clearance in time.
Ruled out is Emil Krafth - out for "several months" with a knee injury - and Callum Wilson, who will miss a "couple of weeks" with another hamstring injury.
Jonjo Shelvey (hamstring) and Kell Watts (knee) remain out after surgery, but Dan Burn (concussion), Jamaal Lascelles (broken nose) and Ryan Fraser (groin) should return.
Martin Dubravka could miss out once again, with talk of a move to Manchester United heightening over the past 48 hours.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope - Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett - Willock, Guimaraes, Joelinton - Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin.
Most of the team picks itself at the moment, although one area that's tough to call is on that left-side of defence.
Targett starts when fit, but that means only two of Schar, Botman and Burn can start if we stick with a back four. Because of Burn's recent concussion and potential lack of training as a result, I can see Schar and Botman starting.
Sean Longstaff didn't take his chance against Tranmere in midweek, so I expect Joe Willock to keep his place, starting alongside our Brazilian duo in Bruno Guimaraes and big Joelinton.
In attack, a hamstring injury to Callum Wilson means Chris Wood seems likely to start. There'll be inevitable calls for Alexander Isak to be thrown straight in, but Eddie Howe is the last manager who'd throw in a new signing after one or two days of training with new teammates.
Considering Wood has five goals in his last four appearances against Wolves and also scored in midweek, Howe has little reason to rush our £58m Swede into his side.
One to watch: Pedro Neto is a real livewire, but Matheus Nunes looks a top player and superb coup for Wolves. His big frame and ability to glide with the ball reminds me of former Spurs midfielder Mousa Dembele, so it’ll be fascinating to see how Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton handle him.
Prediction
Wolves are handy in most areas of the pitch; aside from where it really matters - putting the ball in the back of the net! Saying that, this has sometimes been our problem without Callum Wilson...
If we can keep Neto quiet, win the midfield battle against Wolves' Portuguese trio of Nunes, Neves and Moutinho and continue to cause havoc in attack in Wilson's absence, I'm confident we'll get the better of them.
Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Newcastle
