News
Paul Merson speaking as Eddie Howe’s team are preparing to host at St James’ Park.
A 3pm kick-off on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle having put in two very different performances these past ten days.
Performing so well against Liverpool, especially in terms of goal threat.
Then after a first half where they played well but ended up 2-2 at half-time due to two excellent Brentford finishes (helped by not great defending), United were terrible in the second-half of that eventual 4-2 defeat at the GTech Community Stadium.
Paul Merson discussing the possibilities for Newcastle United in this home match against Leicester City this afternoon.
**Paul Merson talking to Sportskeeda ahead of Newcastle v Leicester:**
_“Leicester City got themselves a phenomenal result during the late comeback draw against Brighton and Hove Albion last time out, but I don’t see Newcastle not winning this game._
_“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 naive to think that they will get a result away from home against 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 a hugely disappointing._
_“Prediction: Newcastle 3 Leicester 1”_
So is Paul Merson on the right track here?
Well, I think that no Newcastle fan would disagree that United failing to win today, would be anything other than ‘hugely disappointing’, not that we think NUFC should just need to turn up to get three points. More a case of if Newcastle United play to the levels shown at home against Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea, then difficult to see how Leicester would not get beat.
As for the cunning Paul Merson perspective on ‘draws don’t help anybody in football’…
Back in the 2022/23 season, Newcastle United ended up drawing 14 Premier League matches as they finished fourth, four points ahead of Liverpool who got 10 draws.
Then last (2023/24) season, Newcastle got eight less draws than the previous season, only drawing six PL matches. Eddie Howe’s side missed out on a return to fourth place and Champions League football by… eight points.
**Newcastle United upcoming matches:**
**Saturday 14 December** – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)
**Wednesday 18 December** – [Newcastle v Brentford](https://www.themag.co.uk/2024/11/we-cant-complain-about-newcastle-v-brentford-quarter-final-scheduling-advantage-united-newcastle-united/) (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)
**Saturday 21 December** – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
**Thursday 26 December** – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
**Monday 30 December** – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
**Saturday 4 January** – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
**Sunday 12 January –** Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)
**Wednesday 15 January** – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
**Saturday 18 January** – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
**Saturday 25 January** – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)
**Saturday 1 February –** Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)
**Saturday 15 February –** Man City v Newcastle (3pm)
**Sunday 23 February –** Newcastle v Forest (Time TBC) Sky Sports