Paul Merson on Newcastle United - Previews and predicts Leicester City clash

Paul Merson has been discussing Newcastle United and our season so far during his prediction piece for today’s upcoming clash with Leicester City.

A recent resurgence for the Foxes under new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, paired with our staggering inconsistency and struggles against ‘weaker’ Premier League opponents sets the tone for today’s 3pm kick-off on Tyneside.

While some have one eye on the midweek Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford, a big 90 minutes for Eddie Howe lays ahead as we look to improve on a poor start to the season.

Merson - "Newcastle have got no consistency"

After backing last weekend's trip to the Bees (4-2) to end 2-2, Merson thinks this will be another game of goals, a huge chance for 12th-place Newcastle to climb up the table after a season full of inconsistencies.

Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson had this to say when previewing the 3pm kick-off at St James' Park:

“It’s true that Leicester have four points in two games under Ruud van Nistelrooy and that’s a good start. However, it would be naïve to think that they will get a result away from home at Newcastle.

“I’m a firm believer of the fact that draws don’t help anybody in football. If you draw two games, it’s two points. If you lose one and win the next, it’s more points. Leicester must try to get more points, that’s the only way they can stay up in this division.

“Newcastle have got no consistency, they are up and down all the time. It shows in the table as well, they are now in 12th place. I know it’s only five points away from the European places, but still you would expect them to be a lot higher. They must start being consistent now.

“This game presents them with an excellent opportunity to climb up the table and anything less than a win would be hugely disappointing.”

Merson's prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Leicester

It’s a fair analysis. Ultimately far from a typical end of season ‘must-win’ in a relegation dogfight or European push, Newcastle still have to be aiming to get the maximum points on the board and build the key thing our season has been lacking - consistency.

Though we have suffered defeats at home this season to both West Ham and Brighton, St. James will always be far from an appealing journey for any visiting side and Saturday will be no exception. The aim has to be to hand van Nistelrooy his first defeat as Leicester gaffer.

A huge game for Howe

Pressure is certainly mounting on Howe and, while a defeat on Saturday wouldn’t be deemed a sackable offence in itself, we simply need to build momentum and start looking up the table to save our season.

Yes, Sven Botman’s lengthy absence alone means we have never been at full strength this campaign - but 12th at Christmas doesn’t feel close to where this side should be given our performances in seasons gone by.

The Brentford defeat still firmly on the memory, the chance to avenge in quarter-final action on Wednesday becomes that little bit easier if we can bounce back on the weekend.