Newcastle vs Norwich Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

Preview

Haydn Cunningham Oct 12, 2015 @ 09:22 am

Despite Newcastle owner Mike Ashley stumping up a large amount of cash on young European players during the summer, the lack of experience has left them at the foot of the table with just 3 points from 8 games. There is no denying the likes of Giorgino Wijnaldum and Florian Thauvin for example have the potential to become well established Premier League players but Newcastle United aren’t a club at this current moment of time who can afford to give inexperienced players the time they need. There are signs that they’re improving after leading Chelsea 2-0 before drawing 2-2 and then going in front against Manchester City before disastrously losing 6-1.

Norwich City continue to improve every week under Alex Neal who is the youngest Premier League manager but does not look overwhelmed in one of the biggest leagues in the world. The young Scotsman has guided Norwich to 13^th back in the Premier League and have looked to play attractive football along the way. Worryingly for Neal however, Norwich’s worst performance came in the North-East as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Sunderland which they’ll hope was a one off. That defeat was also televised on Sky Sports and likewise will their trip to Newcastle United which could be a bad omen.

The home side are unbeaten against Norwich in 5 games and have won the last 4 in a row at St.James Park. In 16 meetings at St.James Park over the years, Norwich have come away victors just twice so you get a sense that if Newcastle are going to get their first victory this season, they won’t get a better chance than against the 2014/2015 Championship Play-Off winners. Confidence levels between the 2 sides couldn’t be any different and whether McLaren’s men can collect  a win remains to be seen in front of their frustrated supporters.

Newcastle were dealt a massive blow during the international break as goalkeeper Tim Krul was ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a nasty knee injury in Holland’s 2-1 victory over Kazakhstan. Second choice Karl Darlow is also a doubt which means Rob Elliot is likely to be called up. They recalled 18-year old Freddie Woodman from his loan spell at Crawley Town immediately after Krul’s unfortunate injury. Norwich City’s biggest loss is central midfielder Youssuf Mulumbu who has a metatarsal injury that will keep him out until the end of October.

Newcastle United 

Stats: W-0 L-5 D-3

Recent Form - LLLDL

Norwich City

Stats: W-2 L-3 D-3

Recent Form - WDWDL

Head-to-head record:

Possible Line-ups

Newcastle United (4-4-2) – Woodman, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Lascelles, Sissoko, Anita, Wijnaldum, Gouffran, Perez, Mitrovic.

Norwich City (4-5-1) – Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Olsson, Tettey, Dorrans, Redmond, Jarvis, Hoolahan, Jerome.

Injury List/Suspended Players

Newcastle United - Krul (inj), Darlow (inj), Mbabu (inj), Obertan (inj), Colback (inj), Aarons (inj), Haidara (inj), S Taylor (inj), Dummett (inj), Riviere (inj).
Norwich City – Mulumbu (inj), Grabban (inj).

League Positions