Premier League Preview: Wolves vs Newcastle United - Analysis and Insights

The Premier League is back in action on Saturday afternoon, as the international break comes to an end.

Sunday offers two more high quality games, the first being the north London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal, and the second seeing Newcastle make the long journey south-west to Molineux, where they will face Wolves.

With Newcastle in the chasing pack for European football early on, while Wolves languish in the relegation zone, this will be a battle of contrasts, and a win for both sides would hugely help their respective causes.

As the game edges closer, we take a closer look at both sides, examining key players, strategies, lineups and absences that could have a significant role to play in the final result.

Wolves vs Newcastle Recent Form

Home side Wolves have had a rocky start to the season. In their defense, their first two fixtures were particularly challenging. They first traveled to Arsenal, where they were convincingly beaten 2-0, before hosting a “new look” Chelsea side that ran away 6-2 winners after a Noni Madueke hat trick.

With a -6 goal difference after two games, Wolves needed to improve, and they took their fixture in the Carabao Cup against Burnley as the opportunity to do exactly that. Goncalo Guedes scored a brace as Wolves advanced with a 2-0 win, and shortly after, they picked up their first point of their league campaign, as they drew 1-1 away to Nottingham Forest.

While it is too early in the season to draw any significant conclusions from their games, Wolves look likely to suffer in the early stages, as after Newcastle, they face Brighton in the Carabao Cup, and Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester in the league over the course of their next five games.

Our trip to Molineux has been picked in the latest selection of @premierleague TV fixtures 📺

🆚 Wolves (A)
🗓️ Sunday 20 October
⏰ 16:30 (UK)

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 6, 2024

This is by far the toughest start any side has to their league season, and should they come out of this run with any credibility at all, Wolves will consider that a win. If they don’t then it is crucial they hit form in the easier run in the lead up to Christmas.

After their opening fixtures, they currently sit on one point in 18th.

On the other hand, Newcastle have had a superb start to the season, and are currently unbeaten in all competitions. They started their season with a gritty win at hoe to promoted Southampton, a game in which they were down to 10 men for more than an hour after Fabian Schar was red carded for an off the ball scuffle.

They then picked up a point away to Bournemouth, before getting the better of Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup, thanks to a penalty shootout. Their most recent fixture was against Spurs, a game they dominated and deservedly came out as 2-1 winners.

Their total of 7 points from three games is enough to place them fifth, level on points with Brighton and Arsenal, both of whom are occupying the last two Champions League qualifying spots, something Newcastle will be endeavoring to achieve come the end of the season.

Wolves next so we need to recreate this short corner.

🤯 🤯#NUFC pic.twitter.com/Rp6Qhr3hY7

— DailyNUFC (@DailyNUFC_) September 12, 2024

Wolves vs Newcastle Recent Meetings

• 02/03/2024: Newcastle 3-0 Wolves.
• 28/20/2023: Wolves 2-2 Newcastle.
• 12/03/2023: Newcastle 2-1 Wolves.
• 28/08/2022: Wolves 1-1 Newcastle.
• 08/04/2022: Newcastle 1-0 Wolves.

Wolves vs Newcastle Team News

Wolves could be without captain and midfielder Mario Lemina, who withdrew from international duty after picking up a knock during the draw to Nottingham Forest. Wolves will also definitely be missing Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez and Boubacar Traore, all due to knee injuries.

New signing Yerson Mosquera will be assessed before the game after picking up a knock while playing for Colombia against Argentina, but looks likely to make the squad.

Newcastle are suffering from even more absences, most significantly in defense.

🚨DAILY #NUFC NEWS🚨

🇳🇱 Sven Botman’s return date has been CONFIRMED

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Joe Willock will return after the International break

3️⃣ THREE players have been named as our vice-captain

And MUCH more in today’s daily news video which includes all topics in detail and description! 👀… pic.twitter.com/Xm0LN0CO8c

— Geordie Josh (@geordiejosh) September 8, 2024

Center backs Sven Botman and Jamal Lascelles are both out through knee injuries, while Callum Wilson is missing thanks to a lower back injury.

Emil Krafth and Joe Willock are both in the recovery phases from their respective injuries, and will have their fitness assessed before the game, but it is certainly possible they could be back in the squad.

However, Fabian Schar will return from his suspension, and will likely slot straight into the starting lineup.

Wolves vs Newcastle Predicted Lineups

• Wolves (4-4-1-1): Johnstone (GK), Semedo, Mosquera, Dawson, Toti, Bellegarde, Gomes, Lemina, Ait-Nouri, Cunha, Strand Larsen.
• Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope (GK), Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Gordon, Isak, Barnes.

Wolves vs Newcastle Player to Watch

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has been in sparkling form in the early stages of the season. Scoring against Spurs, and then bagging three while away with Sweden on international duty, it looks as if Isak has continued this season where he left off the last.

Newcastle’s Alexander Isak has been directly involved in 18 goals in his last 20 Premier League appearances

⚽️ 15 goals
🎯 3 assists#beINPL #NUFC #WWFC pic.twitter.com/tiVqfBp0Ej

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) September 12, 2024

Isak is the striker that every team wants to have, and is the real life definition of “big man, great feet.” And what feet they are! He can get out of seemingly any tight scenario, no matter how many opposing players are surrounding him (remember that assist vs Everton last season?).

Combining his explosive dribbling skills with his goal scoring instinct, Isak is one of the most dangerous strikers in the league, and Wolves will have a tough time keeping him quiet.

Where can I watch Wolves vs Newcastle?

Coverage ofSunday's game will begin on Sky Sports Premier League at 3:45, with the game kicking off at 4:30.