Newcastle United and Luton Town will look to extend their respective feel-good factors with a win in Saturday’s Premier League showdown at St James’ Park.
Both Newcastle United and Luton Town recorded magnificent victories in the midweek, as the Magpies smashed down the defensive barriers of the Villa Park fortress by beating Aston Villa 3-1 last time out, while the Hatters annihilated Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0.
Newcastle United are not performing at the same level as last season in the Premier League, although they have been hampered by a full-blown injury crisis. Eddie Howe’s men are currently eighth in the standings and appear to be heading towards mid-table obscurity.
However, they have seemingly picked up their form in recent weeks. They have claimed three wins in their last four matches and will now be looking to build on a good run of form and get back into the Premier League top-four conversation.
If the Magpies are to make a late bid for the European spots, they must regain their home credentials after losing their past two games at St. James’ Park. Prior to those two defeats, they had won seven consecutive games in front of their supporters.
As for Luton, their rampant 4-0 victory over Brighton was both incredible and surprising. That result extends Luton Town’s recent good form, as they have gone unbeaten in seven of their last eight matches across all competitions. They have won the last three in a row and do not look quite so doomed anymore, currently sitting one point above the relegation zone.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
Newcastle United could head into the weekend’s clash with as many as ten players absent. Long-term absentees Sandro Tonali, Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Elliot Anderson, and Joe Willock are all out. But Jamaal Lascelles may return.
There is a good chance that Alexander Isak will miss this encounter against Luton Town after he went off against Aston Villa with a groin issue. It is unclear how serious the injury is. But should Isak’s problem render him unavailable for the weekend, Eddie Howe could be without both of his natural striker options due to Callum Wilson’s calf injury.
With fellow attackers Elliot Anderson (back) and Harvey Barnes (ankle) not being ready for the fixture either, Anthony Gordon will be called upon to play through the middle for a change, with Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy acting as flying wingers asked to stretch the opposition backline.
After an early wobble, goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is back to his best and should keep his place between the sticks. Fabian Schar has found goalscoring touch in front of goal at just the right time against Aston Villa, and Howe will not mind a brace from his classy Swiss centre-half here as well. The rest of the lineup should remain unchanged from the last game.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Miley, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Murphy, Almiron, Gordon
Luton Town
Issa Kabore’s Burkina Faso sustained a shock Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 upset to Mali, meaning that the on-loan Manchester City defender could return to the squad for Saturday’s trip to St. James Park.
Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Mads Andersen (calf), and Tom Lockyer are absent due to their respective long-term issues for the Hatters. Rob Edwards could go with a similar XI to the one that so impressively put four past Brighton in midweek.
Elijah Adebayo helped himself to a first-ever senior hat-trick in Luton’s 4-0 victory over Brighton last time out. The striker now has eight Premier League goals this season and will be looking to maintain his scoring run when he leads the line this weekend, with Jordan Clark, Ross Barkley, and Carlton Morris all set to provide support for the Englishman in attack.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Kaminski; Bell, Osho, Burke; Ogbene, Barkley, Lokonga, Doughty; Clark, Morris; Adebayo
Key Stats
- Newcastle United have suffered losses in their last two home games in the Premier League, conceding three goals apiece.
- Luton Town have been in decent form in five games so far this year, scoring nine times while letting in three goals.
- Seven of the last eight meetings between Newcastle United and Luton Town have produced fewer than 2.5 goals.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in seven of Newcastle’s last eight Premier League games.
- The Magpies have won three of their last four games across all competitions, scoring ten goals while keeping two clean sheets.
Player to Watch
Anthony Gordon
With strikers Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson out injured, much of Newcastle United’s attacking threat will fall on Anthony Gordon. The former Everton man did not get as many headlines, and he did not contribute to a goal technically. But he produced a splendid performance at Villa Park.
A constant nuisance with his canny movement from the left flank, he had both Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa sweating and praying for mercy. Then, he did a great job as a makeshift centre-forward too. The versatile attacker has scored three goals in his last five appearances at St. James’ Park and will be looking to add to his season Premier League tally of seven goals.
Prediction
Newcastle United 3-0 Luton Town
After being put to the sword by Luton 1-0 in December’s reverse fixture, revenge will be on the minds of the striker-less Newcastle United. As the phrase goes, “revenge is a dish best served cold.” The Hard Tackle expects the re-energised Magpies to pump the Hatters in front of their home support and cruise to another three points here.
