Paul Merson has given his verdict on who will win between Newcastle United and Wolves on Saturday.
St James’ Park is set to host its second Premier League game of the season, having witnessed Newcastle’s agonising defeat to Liverpool.
This encounter should be far less ferocious, but there is plenty of intrigue for Newcastle United fans.
That intrigue surrounds the striker situation, with Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa poised to make their Toon debuts after arriving from Stuttgart and Brentford respectively.
One of them will surely start against Wolves on Saturday, and former Premier League attacker Paul Merson believes it should be Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever who gets the nod.
Nick Woltemade works in the gym during a Newcastle United training session.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Paul Merson backs Newcastle United to easily beat Wolves
Ahead of Newcastle’s Premier League clash with Wolves, Merson has given his score prediction to Sportskeeda.
Merson has backed the Magpies to pick up their first win of the season, while he has also implored Eddie Howe to thrust Woltemade straight into his starting XI.
“I can’t see anything but a Newcastle win here,” he said.
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“Wolves are really struggling at the moment. I know Newcastle haven’t been ripping it up either, but this is a great fixture for them to get back on track.
“Eddie Howe has to start with Nick Woltemade, if not both him and Yoane Wissa together. Wissa hasn’t played a lot of football recently, so I’m not sure if he goes straight into the starting XI. But if you’re those two forwards, there is no better opportunity to get off the mark than facing Wolves at home!
“I always go with the logic that if the best team in the league wants to sign you, then you’re a good player. Bayern Munich wanted Woltemade, so he must know how to play! If him and Wissa can together get the goals scored by Isak last season, it’s a good transfer window for Newcastle in my opinion.
“Newcastle have played better than what their points tally suggests so far this season. I expect them to win.”
Merson’s prediction: Newcastle United 3 Wolves 0.
The reason why Eddie Howe could start Nick Woltemade against Wolves
All signs point towards Yoane Wissa starting against Wolves ahead of Woltemade.
He knows what it is like to play in the Premier League and should not need an adaptation period at St James’ Park. In contrast, Woltemade needs time to settle.
However, the 23-year-old has spent all week working with Eddie Howe at the Newcastle United training ground ahead of Saturday’s game.
He should be much sharper than Wissa, who has done much more travelling while representing DR Congo and also missed out on a proper pre-season.
In that respect, perhaps Howe should listen to Merson and name Woltemade in his starting lineup.
However, the most likely outcome is that Wissa comes in and the Germany international makes his debut as a substitute.
Newcastle are going to be patient with Woltemade, so it would be a huge shock if he starts against Wolves.