Newcastle United have found some form after the 4-2 defeat against Brentford earlier this month.
The Magpies bounced back to smash Leicester City 4-0 at the weekend before knocking the Bees out of the Carabao Cup by beating them 3-1 on Wednesday night.
Newcastle’s progress to the final four of the domestic competition will spark hopes of ending their trophy drought under manager Eddie Howe.
The English boss came very close to winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 when they made it to the final, only to end up losing to Manchester United.
For now, Howe’s whole focus will be the Premier League, where they will face Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday.
The Tractor Boys have found things very challenging in the English top-flight, winning just two of their 16 matches to be in the relegation zone.
But they will fancy their chances against Newcastle following the 2-1 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their previous league game.
BBC football pundit Chris Sutton isn’t very hopeful about Ipswich though, with the former Celtic star bringing their poor home record to suggest they will earn no point this weekend.
Sutton says the Magpies have been very average at times, but they are quite capable of quickly climbing towards the top-four.
He predicts the visitors to come away with a 2-1 win on Saturday, saying: “Maybe I should mention Mr Fields – an Ipswich fan who teaches my daughter – every week so the Tractor Boys stand a better chance of winning?
“It worked for them last week, when they beat Wolves, but I am not sure it will have the same effect this time.
“The strength of the Premier League means the table is so congested at the moment, with only six points separating Nottingham Forest in fourth, and Manchester United in 13th.
“Newcastle are 12th and have been very average at times, but they strike me as being a team who are in a false position, compared to what they are capable of.
“The busy Christmas period could change the look of the table dramatically, and a couple of wins could catapult someone towards the top four.
“Could that team be Newcastle? Yes, if they click, and I definitely fancy them here. Ipswich have not won at home yet this season and I don’t see that changing this weekend”.
Newcastle were excellent against Wolves and Brentford, but inconsistency has been one of their biggest issues this campaign.
They shouldn’t let their intensity levels drop this weekend to come away with maximum points from the away game.
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