Leeds (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
After a quite incredible year, the final game of 2022 sees Newcastle United take on Leeds at St James' Park.
Almost 12 months ago, it was a humongous 1-0 win at Elland Road that kick-started our survival push, but it beggars belief just how well things have gone under Eddie Howe ever since.
Since that meeting in late January, we've lost just twice in the Premier League - both to Liverpool by a single goal - going from relegation contenders to Champions League hopefuls. We entered 2022 a wounded animal in need of saving, but leave it mighty Mags who look every bit good enough to beat 'big six' rivals to a place in the top four.
The 3-0 win at Leicester was another statement win on Monday, reminding any naysayers that our standards were not about to drop following a six-week break for the World Cup.
If anything, we got better, highlighting what an outstanding job Eddie Howe continues to do off the pitch, keeping players grounded yet fiercely motivated to keep the momentum going.
Hopefully complacency doesn't creep in and we can sign off a stunning year in style against a Leeds side looking to spoil the party!
Team news
Callum Wilson will be assessed ahead of the game after returning to training on Friday, with Howe confirming he's in a "better place" after illness saw him miss our big win at Leicester.
Jonjo Shelvey, Emil Krafth and Alexander Isak have all been ruled out of the game. The former is set to be sidelined for six to eight weeks with a new calf injury, while Isak is "very close" to resuming first-team training, targeting a return to action in January.
For the visitors, Tyler Adams is set to return after missing their 3-1 defeat to Man City, with Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison also in contention. Patrick Bamford has been ruled out, however, alongside Stuart Dallas and Luis Sinisterra.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
The back four and midfield picks itself these days, but Howe has a couple of big decisions to make in attack.
Should Wilson be passed fit, it'll be interesting to see if he keeps faith in Chris Wood - who scored from the spot and led the line admirably at Leicester - or brings our number nine straight back into his starting XI.
The other dilemma is on Allan Saint-Maximin. He often comes alive at St James' Park and tore Leeds apart in this fixture last season, but will Howe change a side that won so convincingly at Leicester?
Joelinton was one of our star performers at the King Power and has never let us down from the left in recent months, yet he did go down on several occasions on Monday, not to mention the fact rotation will be needed over such a busy period.
With those two things in mind, I can see Saint-Maximin starting, with Wilson's inclusion totally dependant on how well he's recovered from illness.
Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier are fit to play, but it's worth noting both are on four yellow cards, leaving them one booking away from a one-game ban.
Prediction
After years of Mike Ashley and several sub-par managers, it's not normal for us Newcastle fans to win on a weekly basis.
However, this new-look side is showing no sign of letting up under the brilliant Eddie Howe. Couple that brilliant win over Leicester with our superb record at St James' Park in 2022, there's no reason why we can't add to our tally with another big victory on Tyneside.
Leeds had Man City on the ropes in midweek, but I see them being outgunned in all areas if they try to go toe-to-toe with this high-energy Toon team who look ruthless in attack, dominant in midfield and supremely organised at the back.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Leeds
