Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In what could prove to be a frantic Boxing Day affair, Newcastle will welcome Aston Villa to St. James’ Park on Thursday afternoon.
Newcastle
Starting with the hosts, while Newcastle might have found themselves at the heart of a public struggle after returning from November’s international break, the Magpies have come roaring back. With Eddie Howe certainly easing some of the pressure on his shoulders, the former Bournemouth boss saw his squad put in a dominant display last weekend. Breezing their way to a 4-0 romp against relegation scrappers Ipswich, Thursday’s hosts have now won each of their previous three appearances across all competitions. Extending on their EFL Cup adventure last week as they claimed a 3-1 victory at home against Brentford, Howe’s side have also found a real clinical edge in the final third. Winning their last three consecutive outings by an aggregate score of 11-1, Newcastle have also recorded at least a pair of strikes in all of their previous five showdowns. Finding a route back into the top-half of the table, the Magpies will be desperate to extend on their recent flurry.
Newcastle Team News
Once again missing out away at Ipswich last weekend, England international Nick Pope will not feature on Boxing Day. Likewise, suffering yet another injury setback earlier in the month, Newcastle have confirmed that former Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson will play no part on Thursday afternoon.
Bagging a sensational Premier League hat-trick away at Ipswich last week and already notching 10 top-flight goals, attacking talisman Alexander Isak will lead Howe’s charge. Notching three goals in as many appearances, Jacob Murphy should keep his spot alongside Isak in the final third.
Aston Villa
As for the visitors, despite suffering late heartbreak away at Nottingham Forest earlier in the month, Unai Emery’s men claimed an immediate response last weekend. Picking up a 2-1 victory against defending champions Manchester City, the one-time Arsenal boss has his sights firmly set on clinching another European finish in 2025. Almost in an identical position to their their Boxing Day hosts, Thursday’s guests have won four of their previous five appearances across all competitions. However, despite claiming a famous 3-2 Champions League win away at RB Leipzig on December 10th, Aston Villa have struggled to find any kind of stability on their travels. Including a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of Chelsea when opening December, Emery’s side have lost five of their last six matchups outside of the Midlands. It should also be noted, Villa slumped to a woeful 5-1 drumming when they last travelled to St. James’ Park 16 months ago.
Aston Villa Team News
Still dealing with a hamstring injury and not featuring since returning from November’s international break, Jacob Ramsey remains on the sidelines. Despite his Champions League heroics earlier in the month, ex-Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley will settle for a spot on the bench.
Once again finding the net against Manchester City last weekend and now getting on the scoresheet in each of his previous four appearances across all competitions, Jhon Duran should keep his spot leading the line. Making a first Premier League start since November 9th, Amadou Onana will join Boubacar Kamara in the middle of the park.
Newcastle vs Aston Villa Key Factors to Consider
- When Newcastle and Aston Villa last met at St. James’ Park back in August 2023, the Magpies collected a 5-1 romp on home soil.
- In fact, the Magpies won their two Premier League meetings against Villa last season by an aggregate score of 8-2.
- Newcastle have won each of their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 11-1.
- Aston Villa have won four of their previous five matchups across all formats.
- However, Emery’s side have lost five of their last six appearances away from Villa Park.
Conclusion
In a contest that tends to produce plenty of fireworks, neutrals will be hoping for another Premier League thriller here. With Newcastle winning their two meetings against Aston Villa last season by an aggregate score of 8-2, Howe’s side will be looking to extend on their recent flurry on Thursday night. It should be noted, with just their last four Premier League showdowns producing 17 goals at both ends of the pitch, we are backing what could be a real festive thriller from St. James’ Park.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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