Newcastle vs Wolves preview, team news, stats, prediction, kick-off time, live on Sky Sports

Newcastle defender Federico Fernandez could return to the squad; Wolves are still without Willy Boly and Daniel Podence; Follow Newcastle vs Leeds live on Sky Sports PL and Main Event from 7.45pm; Kick-off 8pm; Watch free highlights shortly after full time on Sky Sports website and app

Saturday 27 February 2021 18:50, UK

Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Newcastle vs Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday (kick-off 8pm).

Team news

Newcastle defender Federico Fernandez could return to the squad for Saturday's Premier League clash with Wolves.

The Argentinian has missed the last eight games with a thigh problem, but has trained all week and could be included in the matchday party along with striker Joelinton, who has recovered from the kick he took in last weekend's 3-1 defeat
at Manchester United.

Head coach Steve Bruce faces a decision over his goalkeeper with the fit-again Martin Dubravka, who has not made a league appearance since suffering an ankle injury in pre-season, pushing Karl Darlow, while striker Callum Wilson (hamstring), full-back Javier Manquillo (ankle) and Fabian Schar (knee) are still out.

Wolves are still without Willy Boly and Daniel Podence as they bid to extend their unbeaten league run to five matches.

Centre-half Boly (hamstring) and winger Podence (hip) have both missed the last four games after being forced out of the home win against Arsenal at the start of this month.

Brazilian defender Fernando Marcal is also unavailable after being withdrawn from last week's home win against Leeds.

How to follow

Newcastle vs Wolves is live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 7.45pm; Kick-off 8pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.

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Jones Knows prediction

Newcastle are slipping and sliding nearer trouble but I'm still convinced this isn't the Newcastle of a few weeks ago that embarrassed themselves in a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United. It's a braver, more forward-thinking approach.Back-to-back defeats against Chelsea and Manchester United haven't changed my opinion. And, to an extent, the performance at United, especially in the first half, actually strengthened my belief that the Toon are an improved outfit since switching to this diamond-like formation halfway through their defeat to Leeds.

This is a very winnable game for them, so much so I was surprised to see 5/2 available on the home win with Sky Bet.

Wolves may have won four of their last five matches but they still remain a very stodgy team, especially in the first half of matches. They haven't scored before the 36th minute in a match for seven fixtures and with Newcastle playing a more aggressive, high-press game, I'm interested in the 3/1 for Newcastle to be winning at half-time. Steve Bruce's men have scored five goals in their last five first halves.

JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 2-1

BETTING ANGLE: Newcastle to be winning at half-time (3/1 with Sky Bet)

Last time out...

Opta stats

Since a 4-1 victory in April 2011, Newcastle are winless in their last four home league games against Wolves (D2 L2).
Of all the Premier League fixtures to have been played at least 10 times, Newcastle v Wolves has seen the highest percentage of games finish in a draw (73% - 8/11). Each of the last four league meetings between the sides has finished 1-1.
Both teams have scored in all 11 Premier League meetings between Newcastle and Wolves, making it the most played fixture in the competition in which neither side has kept a clean sheet.
Newcastle have had a player sent off in each of their last three home league games against Wolves - Vurnon Anita in September 2016, DeAndre Yedlin in December 2018 and Sean Longstaff in October 2019.
Newcastle have lost eight of their last 10 Premier League games, winning the other two. Indeed, the Magpies have lost more league games in 2021 than any other Premier League side (8).
Wolves have won three of their last four Premier League games (D1), as many as they had in their previous 16 beforehand (D5 L8). They're looking to win three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since June 2020.
Newcastle have conceded exactly twice in each of their last four Premier League home games - they've not shipped 2+ goals in five consecutive league games at St. James' Park since September 1991 in the second tier.

Pitch to Post Preview - Jamie Redknapp's Liverpool verdict. Plus: Chelsea v Man Utd build-up, and Tottenham's tricky Burnley test

On this week's Pitch to Post Preview Podcast, Jamie Redknapp joins Peter Smith to assess where Liverpool stand right now. The Sky Sports pundit explains why he thinks it would be a surprise if they make the top four and the reasons why he expects them to get back to their top level next season.

We also hear from Sky Sports football writer Jack Wilkinson, who assesses Chelsea's start under Thomas Tuchel, Man Utd's talk of the title, and gives his verdict on why the next couple of months could be key for the future of Jose Mourinho and Tottenham. Plus he shares his Pitch for the weekend!

Listen to the Sky Sports Pitch to Post Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox

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