Wolves vs. Newcastle United
Venue: Molineux
Kick off: 4:30PM
Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Newcastle United to Molineux this afternoon looking to make it three wins in a row in the Premier League.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side go into the game off the back of successive 1-0 wins over newly-promoted duo Fulham and Leeds United, whereas Newcastle were beaten 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out.
It has been something of a mixed start to the season for Wolves, who have been beaten heavily by West Ham United, been knocked out of the EFL Cup by Stoke City and lost at home to Manchester City so far.
However, despite those defeats they go into the weekend sitting sixth in the table and having won three of their opening five games of a top-flight campaign for the first time since 1979-80.
Back-to-back 1-0 triumphs over Fulham and Leeds were not entirely convincing but have got them back on track after three successive defeats in all competitions prior to that, as well as continuing a streak which has seen them keep clean sheets in each of their last eight Premier League wins.
The flip side of that is that conceding often leads to dropped points – Wolves have failed to win any of their last six games in which they have let in a goal, with their last such victory coming back in March.
However, Nuno’s side have kept seven clean sheets in their last nine Premier League games at Molineux, and if they can continue that run against a far-from-prolific Newcastle side this weekend then they will back Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore et al to do the business at the other end.
Newcastle’s goal threat has certainly grown compared to last season, netting seven times in their five games so far and at least once in all but one of their eight outings across all competitions.
However, it was their defence which was eventually undone last time out as Manchester United scored three late goals to wrap up a 4-1 victory at St James’ Park – a result which ended a four-game unbeaten streak for the Magpies.
Newcastle have only kept two clean sheets in 37 top-flight away games against Wolves stretching back to 1898, and considering the last of those came in 1951 they may not be too confident of keeping the hosts at bay this time around.
It could therefore be down to their attackers to get something from this game, but being away from home will not daunt a side that has scored 11 of their 16 goals in all competitions this season while on the road and that is unbeaten on their travels since July.
Last month’s controversial late draw at Tottenham Hotspur added to victory at West Ham United on the opening day to leave the Magpies looking to remain unbeaten in their first three away games of a Premier League season for the first time since 2011-12.
Wolverhampton possible XI: Patricio, Boly, Coady, Kilman, Semedo, Neves, Moutinho, Saiss, Traore, Jimenez, Neto.
Newcastle United possible XI: Darlow, Krafth, Lascelles, Schar, Fernandez, Lewis, Joelinton, Shelvey, Hendrick, Saint-Maximin, Wilson.