Wolves (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
After a flat atmosphere and frustrating result on Wednesday night, Newcastle are back in Premier League action with a trip to Wolves on Saturday tea time.
We had the chances to grab what would've been a precious point, but the woodwork, one big miss from Wilson and some stubborn Dortmund defending kept us out.
Injuries on the night were arguably the most disappointing outcome, limiting our ability to rotate here. However, we have won four of our last five league games to nil, battered Crystal Palace last weekend and will be keen to bounce back to regain that momentum we've created over the past few months.
Gary O'Neil's side are unbeaten in their last four league games - despite facing the likes of Man City and Aston Villa. They didn't have a game in midweek and won at Bournemouth last weekend, so they'll be no pushovers for a Newcastle side keen to get back on track after that damaging Dortmund defeat.
Team news
Sandro Tonali's suspension has now begun after FIFA confirmed his 10-month ban on Friday night, with Alexander Isak (groin), Jacob Murphy (dislocated shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back), Sven Botman (knee), Lewis Miley (glandular fever) and Harvey Barnes (foot) also missing.
Joe Willock is fit again but it remains to be seen if he's fit enough to start after his surprise cameo against Dortmund.
For Wolves, right-back Nelson Semedo and midfielder Mario Lemina are back from suspension after missing last week's 2-1 win at Bournemouth.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope - Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn - Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton - Almiron, Wilson, Gordon.
With Tonali and Anderson ruled out, Howe must decide whether to start Joelinton or Joe Willock in that left-sided midfield slot. Joelinton looked rusty in midweek and it may be a risk to play three times in a week so soon after returning from injury, but the same applies to Willock after he made his first appearance for five months off the bench in midweek.
If he's fit enough to start, Willock's pace, energy and threat on the counter could be a huge weapon. However, I think Howe may play the slightly safer option in Joelinton.
Botman is still not ready and I don't see Howe changing a defence that's kept four clean sheets in our last five, so I expect the likes of Lascelles and Burn to keep their place. With that in mind, it may be the same side who started on Wednesday, aside from Wilson replacing the injured Isak.
Wolves' one to watch: Pedro Neto - The Portuguese winger looks back to his best and is without doubt their biggest danger man. An electric dribbler and extremely creative so far this season, with he and Kieran Trippier top of the assist charts on six.
Predicted Wolves XI: Sa - Kilman, Dawson, Toti - Semedo, Lemina, Gomes, Ait-Nouri - Neto, Cunha, Hwang.
Prediction
Injuries are catching up with us and we aren't really in a position to rotate much this weekend as a result.
Wolves have beaten Man City and drawn with Aston Villa in their last two home games and have had more time to prepare with no game in midweek, so I'm going for a low-scoring draw in this one.
Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Newcastle
HWTL!
