Newcastle United face a tough test on Wednesday when they welcome Premier League leaders Liverpool to St James' Park.
Eddie Howe's side have failed to win in their last two games - a defeat to West Ham United and a draw away to Crystal Palace. However, a victory could move the Magpies up the table and closer to the top four.
Unfortunately, Newcastle come up against a Liverpool side that have beaten Real Madrid and Manchester City at Anfield in the past week. Arne Slot's team sit nine points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and are favourites to go on and secure their 20th league title.
Last season, the Merseyside club won both games between the two sides. They secured a 2-1 victory at St James' Park and a 4-2 win at Anfield. As always, the Premier League pundits have expressed their thoughts ahead of matchday 14. Here are their score predictions.
#### Chris Sutton
Newcastle have looked a little flat recently, and have been lacking a cutting edge," Sutton said in his regular [BBC](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/bbc) predictions. "This is still a tough game for Liverpool, though, off the back of such a big week for them with wins over Real Madrid and Manchester City.
"The Magpies have already beaten Arsenal at St James' Park this season and they are certainly capable of getting something against Liverpool too, but you just cannot back against the leaders at the moment.
"Arne Slot has such great strength in depth right through his squad and they can win games in different ways. Even if they do drop points here, their bubble is not going to burst anytime soon."
**Prediction:** [Newcastle United](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/newcastle-united-fc) 1-2 Liverpool
#### Paul Merson
"The whole of the Premier League would have been looking at these three fixtures for Liverpool - Manchester City at home, Newcastle away and then Everton away. They've already brushed aside City and if they go on and win the next two matches as well, it could be over for everyone else hoping to catch them!
"Liverpool absolutely destroyed Manchester City. It was bordering on embarrassing at times. This is a tough game away at Newcastle, but imagine the scenes if they win. Real Madrid, Manchester City and Newcastle beaten in the space of a week. Simply wow, not many teams can do that.
"Dominik Szoboszlai was excellent in midfield against City and it just shows how confident all the Liverpool players are at the moment. He came into the line-up and looked like he belonged there. I said it the other day and I keep on saying it, no matter who plays up top with Salah, you can always bet on Liverpool to score. You can't say that with the other teams, that's a huge advantage for Liverpool."
**Prediction:** Newcastle United 1-2 Liverpool
#### Mark Lawrenson
"Newcastle are struggling. They’re saying they can’t buy players and the results have not been great. The manager has gone from being one of the favourites for the England job to being one of the favourite for the sack.
"This is a big game for them. Liverpool are going there with no problems, really. Arne Slot might make three or four changes but it won’t weaken the side because he’s basically got two players for every single position. He must’ve got in the job the first day and could not believe his luck as the guy before him has left 22 top international players to work with.
"Newcastle will probably be quite negative and try to shut out Liverpool, especially if Aleksander Isak is out as reports suggest. They might be able to pull it off though, so I'll go for a draw."
**Prediction:** Newcastle United 1-1 Liverpool