Newcastle United will host league leaders Liverpool in a highly anticipated Premier League clash on Wednesday night, 4 December 2024. With Liverpool sitting comfortably at the top of the table, having secured a 2-0 victory over Manchester City last weekend, they will be looking to extend their nine-point lead over second-place Arsenal. Meanwhile, Newcastle, who have faced a difficult return to form following the international break, will be desperate for a positive result as they aim to climb back into the top half of the table.
Liverpool’s Strong Position
Arne Slot’s Liverpool side come into this fixture in exceptional form, having built a commanding lead at the top of the Premier League. Their recent victory over Manchester City solidified their dominance, with Mohamed Salah’s decisive contributions continuing to be a driving force. Slot’s men are now looking to make a statement by securing all three points at St. James’ Park, a ground where Newcastle has traditionally performed well against the top sides this season, including notable victories over Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham.
However, despite their impressive standing, Liverpool will need to navigate a tricky match against a resilient Newcastle side. The Magpies have proved they can be tough to break down, especially at home, where they are capable of pulling off unexpected results.
Newcastle’s Struggles
Newcastle, on the other hand, will be keen to bounce back from a frustrating 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. Eddie Howe’s team has faced a series of setbacks since returning from the international break, including a loss to West Ham, and another late equalizer against Palace has left the squad with much to reflect on. With the team sitting in 11th place, their chances of breaking into the top four remain alive but increasingly slim with each dropped point.
The main concern for Newcastle is the fitness of their striker Alexander Isak, who is a doubt for the Newcastle vs Liverpool clash after picking up a hip injury against Palace. Eddie Howe has stated that Isak has not trained in the lead-up to the match, leaving his availability unclear. If Isak is unable to feature, Newcastle will have to rely on Callum Wilson or other attacking options to find a breakthrough against Liverpool’s strong defense.
Key Battle at St. James’ Park (Newcastle vs Liverpool)
The Newcastle vs Liverpool fixture will be crucial for both teams. For Liverpool, it’s an opportunity to maintain their iron grip on the top spot and continue their march towards the title. For Newcastle, another loss would deal a serious blow to their aspirations of breaking into the European spots, especially as the winter period of fixtures approaches. The stakes are high, and both teams will be determined to come out on top.
As the match kicks off at 7:30pm GMT, all eyes will be on St. James’ Park to see if Liverpool can continue their impressive run or if Newcastle will spring an upset and get their season back on track.
