Newcastle United are desperate for their first Premier League win of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers today.
The experts are backing Newcastle United to get their first Premier League win of the season this afternoon.
Wolverhampton Wanderers visit St James’ Park and are also out of touch - sitting rock-bottom with zero points. Both clubs would love three points to banish the pre-international break blues.
A subplot for today’s fixture is Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. Newcastle had two bids rejected for the Norwegian last month - the highest worth around £55million.
He ultimately stayed put as the Magpies moved for Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade. The latter is set to start as Wissa picked up a knock to his knee on international duty.
One high-profile pundit called for Eddie Howe to unleash new arrival Nick Woltemade. Take a look below at how ex-players predict Newcastle will fare against Wolves.
Chris Sutton
“Both of these teams are still without a win so far, although Wolves are the only Premier League club without a point on the board,” he told BBC Sport. “Newcastle have drawn twice and only lost very late on against Liverpool, so their form is hardly cause for concern.
“They can move on now the Alexander Isak transfer saga is over, although this is our first look at their new attack. We will have to wait and see how fit and ready Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa are, or how they settle in, but I still think Newcastle will have too much for a Wolves team who are leaking too many goals.
“At least Wolves do carry a threat going forward - especially in Jorgen Strand Larsen, who Newcastle tried to sign last month. It would be typical if he went to St James' Park and scored the winner, but I don't see that happening.”
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Paul Merson
“I can’t see anything but a Newcastle win here,” he wrote in his SportsKeeda column. “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.”
Prediction: Newcastle United 3-0 Wolverhampton
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