Premier League: Magpies Aim to Nail Down a Top Four Place

Newcastle United vs Liverpool

High flying Newcastle are in fourth, a Champions League spot in their grasp, but sometimes it’s harder to hold a position than to chase it down; and, on Saturday, the Magpies face one of their toughest tasks of the campaign so far.  

Premier League: Newcastle vs Liverpool is a clash between two teams determined to be in the 2023/24 Champions League. At the start of the campaign Jurgen Klopp’s Reds were fully expected to take one of the four places available but they currently sit in ninth place and nine points behind the Magpies.       

But this may not be a bad time for the Reds to visit the North East.

After suffering back to back defeats Liverpool got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory in the Merseyside derby while Newcastle drew 1-1 with Bournemouth. Also Klopp has some of his injured men on the way back and Newcastle are missing their most influential player… and it all gets very interesting.  

A win for the Reds would leave them six points behind Newcastle with a game in hand. An in form Liverpool would count that as a three point deficit to make up and, with 15 games still to play, the chase would certainly be on. But the Newcastle vs Liverpool betting odds back the Magpies (just) and so the passionate Geordie fans will do their utmost to keep their team in the box seat.   

Talking Points

Magpies must find a way without Bruno

Newcastle have drawn their last two games. It’s no disaster, but they may have expected more from matches at home to West Ham and away to Bournemouth; but they played out 1-1 draws against both sets of strugglers.

And it’s noticeable that the Magpies’ player of the season, Bruno Guimaraes, was missing for both through suspension. He copped a straight red card during a 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton. Emotions were running high with a cup final place at stake, but Bruno’s tackle on Samuel Edozie was dreadful and he picked up a three game ban.

So Newcastle will miss his midfield dominance and creative spark. His vision and passing skills means Bruno is Newcastle’s most productive player and he will be a big miss.     

Without Bruno, top scorer Miguel Almiron, who has ten goals and Callum Wilson, with seven, will rely on the ball play of wingback Kieran Trippier, so the Reds will keep a close eye on the England star.

Newcastle have the best defensive record in the league with the excellent Nick Pope between the sticks and centre back Sven Botman, who has slotted in to Newcastle’s defence superbly.

They have only conceded 13 goals in 22 games so this is a good test for Liverpool’s front men.    

Derby win could lift the Reds

It’s amazing what a win over your closest rivals can do for you and no doubt there were plenty of smiles at the Liverpool training ground on Tuesday. Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo scored the goals to see off the Toffees but the margin of victory could have been bigger as Jordan Henderson dominated the midfield. His return to form and the emergence of 18 year old midfielder Stefan Bajcetic might be enough to overrun a Newcastle without Bruno, while there is more good news for the Reds as Diogo Jota and Roberto Firminho both got game time in the derby.

With Virgil Van Dijk back in the match day squad too, it looks like Klopp’s injury problems are over the worst and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go on a run.  

Liverpool have a Champions League tie against Real Madrid on the horizon and every player will want to be involved in that. The competition for places is back and that can only be good news for the Reds.

History

With 33 victories to 11 Liverpool have totally bossed the head to head Newcastle vs Liverpool results in the Premier League era, winning the last three.

But in terms of recent form there is only one team with much to be pleased about. The Magpies have won three and drawn three of the last six, while the Reds have won two, drawn one and lost three.

Add to that Newcastle’s home form, unbeaten with six wins and five draws then, despite Liverpool’s happy Monday against Everton, the hosts shouldn’t really go into the game with too much fear.

But pressure is a funny thing.       

Betting Tip

Newcastle are marginal favourites to win this huge fixture, at a price of 2.41, while the Reds are at SBOTOP odds of 2.58. This has all the hallmarks of an end to end classic and, while Liverpool may have the better players, the St James Park crowd will be the extra man.

 

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