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    Newcastle vs Wolves news: Both sides still with plenty to play for ahead of Friday night clash

    Michael GrahamMichael Graham7 April 2022
    Wolves battling Newcastle in the Premier League

    Wolves battling Newcastle in the Premier League

    The Premier League weekend gets off to an intriguing start as Wolves travel to face Newcastle on Friday night.

    Wolves are determined to ensure a promising campaign ends in European qualification and are currently two points short of West Ham in sixth.

    Newcastle, meanwhile, will feel Burnley's win over Everton has dragged them back into the relegation fight and will be keen to put distance between themselves and the bottom three.

    When: Friday, April 8, 20:00 GMT

    Where: St James' Park

    Where to watch: Sky Sports

    Follow this game live via our score centre

    Who is the referee for Newcastle vs Wolves?

    Peter Bankes will take charge of this one, with Andy Madley assuming VAR duties.
    It will be the first time Bankes has refereed Wolves this season, although Newcastle probably won't welcome him.

    He was the man in the middle when the Magpies lost 4-0 to Leicester back in December, awarding a penalty against them.

    2021/22 Premier League record: Matches (9), yellow cards (45), red cards (1), penalties awarded (1)

    Recent form

    Newcastle had a flurry of fine form recently, stringing together a run of six wins and one draw in seven. That hauled them clear of the relegation battle and had them very much looking forward to next season.
    They have settled back into old habits since, though, and have lost their last three matches. The most recent of those was a 5-1 demolition by Tottenham that showed there is still plenty of work for Eddie Howe to do.
    Wolves have been on a good run recently, winning three of their last four.
    Last time out they beat Aston Villa in a local derby, so they are sure to head to Tyneside in confident mood.

    Newcastle and Wolves players in form

    Wolves defender Jonny has been in unusually good goalscoring form lately, scoring in each of his last two games.
    Add to that being part of two clean sheets in the last four games, and the Spaniard has certainly hit a bit of a purple patch. Midfielder Ruben Neves has also been earning rave reviews for his performances this season, but he will be missing due to a knee injury.
    Newcastle have not been producing at all lately and will be looking for someone to step up.

    Last three meetings

    Wolves 2-1 Newcastle (October 2, 2021)

    It was Wolves who won the reverse fixture this season to leave Newcastle without success in any of their first seven games.

    South Korean star Hwang Hee-chan was their hero, scoring either side of half-time.

    Jeff Hendrik, who was introduced as a first-half substitute for the injured Joe Willock, bagged Newcastle's goal just before half-time.

    Newcastle 1-1 Wolves (February 27, 2021)

    This fixture last season proved a frustrating one for Newcastle, as they were unable to hang on to a very hard-earned lead.
    Jamaal Lascelles broke the deadlock in a tight game seven minutes after half-time in what always looked like a low-scoring encounter.
    Ruben Neves hauled the visitors level though and game the game fizzled out to a draw.

    Wolves 1-1 Newcastle (October 25, 2020)

    It was another draw in their clash at Molineux last season, but it was one with plenty of late drama.
    The match was a tight one again, as it so often is between these two sides, and when Raul Jimenez scored with just ten minutes to play it looked for all the world that the home side had won it.
    However, with the clock ticking towards injury time, Jacob Murphy equalised for Newcastle.

    Last ten meetings

    Newcastle wins: 2

    Draws: 6

    Wolves wins: 2

    Newcastle scored: 15

    Wolves scored: 13

    Managers' thoughts

    Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says his side must respect how solid Wolves have been all season, but he believes they have nothing to fear going into the game.

    "It's a big challenge," Howe said. "Their record away from home has been very good all season. They're tight at the back and they've got players that can hurt you with the ball.
    "We believe we can beat anybody when we bring our 'A' game so we need to do that."

    Wolves manager Bruno Lage, meanwhile, believes Newcastle's January transfer window has made them a very different opponent than the one they beat earlier in the season.

    "We are going to play against a strong opponent," he said. "It's easy to see how they changed with January signings."

    Predicted Newcastle vs Wolves teams

    Newcastle are still without Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier, while Miguel Almiron is struggling with Covid-19.
    Joe Willock is carrying a knee injury, so Bruno Guimaraes could be handed a start in his place.

    Wolves are likely to go with the same team that beat Aston Villa, meaning Hwang Hee-chan, who scored twice against the Magpies earlier this season, will have to settle for a place on the bench.

    Possible Newcastle United starting line-up: Dubravka; Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett; Guimaraes, Shelvey, Joelinton; Murphy, Wood, Saint-Maximin

    Possible Wolves starting line-up: Sa; Boly, Coady, Kilman; Jonny, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Marcal; Podence, F Silva, Trincao

    Newcastle vs Wolves prediction

    Five of the last six meetings between these two sides have ended in 1-1 draws, and that's what we are going with for this one too.

    READ MORE: Newcastle United news: Eddie Howe wants to avoid 'extreme emotions' during difficult run of fixtures

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