Verdict: Each groups to attain

Finest Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In what might show to be a frantic Boxing Day affair, Newcastle will welcome Aston Villa to St. James’ Park on Thursday afternoon.

Newcastle

Beginning with the hosts, whereas Newcastle may need discovered themselves on the coronary heart of a public battle after getting back from November’s worldwide break, the Magpies have come roaring again. With Eddie Howe actually easing a few of the stress on his shoulders, the previous Bournemouth boss noticed his squad put in a dominant show final weekend. Breezing their technique to a 4-0 romp in opposition to relegation scrappers Ipswich, Thursday’s hosts have now gained every of their earlier three appearances throughout all competitions. Extending on their EFL Cup journey final week as they claimed a 3-1 victory at house in opposition to Brentford, Howe’s aspect have additionally discovered an actual scientific edge within the last third. Profitable their final three consecutive outings by an combination rating of 11-1, Newcastle have additionally recorded not less than a pair of strikes in all of their earlier 5 showdowns. Discovering a route again into the top-half of the desk, the Magpies will probably be determined to increase on their current flurry.

Newcastle Group Information

As soon as once more lacking out away at Ipswich final weekend, England worldwide Nick Pope is not going to characteristic on Boxing Day. Likewise, struggling one more damage setback earlier within the month, Newcastle have confirmed that former Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson will play no half on Thursday afternoon.

Bagging a sensational Premier League hat-trick away at Ipswich final week and already notching 10 top-flight objectives, attacking talisman Alexander Isak will lead Howe’s cost. Notching three objectives in as many appearances, Jacob Murphy ought to maintain his spot alongside Isak within the last third.

Aston Villa

As for the guests, regardless of struggling late heartbreak away at Nottingham Forest earlier within the month, Unai Emery’s males claimed a direct response final weekend. Selecting up a 2-1 victory in opposition to defending champions Manchester Metropolis, the one-time Arsenal boss has his sights firmly set on clinching one other European end in 2025. Nearly in an equivalent place to their their Boxing Day hosts, Thursday’s company have gained 4 of their earlier 5 appearances throughout all competitions. Nonetheless, regardless of claiming a well-known 3-2 Champions League win away at RB Leipzig on December tenth, Aston Villa have struggled to seek out any form of stability on their travels. Together with a routine 3-0 drumming by the hands of Chelsea when opening December, Emery’s aspect have misplaced 5 of their final six matchups outdoors of the Midlands. It must also be famous, Villa slumped to a woeful 5-1 drumming after they final travelled to St. James’ Park 16 months in the past.

Aston Villa Group Information

Nonetheless coping with a hamstring damage and never that includes since getting back from November’s worldwide break, Jacob Ramsey stays on the sidelines. Regardless of his Champions League heroics earlier within the month, ex-Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley will accept a spot on the bench.

As soon as once more discovering the web in opposition to Manchester Metropolis final weekend and now getting on the scoresheet in every of his earlier 4 appearances throughout all competitions, Jhon Duran ought to maintain his spot main the road. Making a primary Premier League begin since November ninth, Amadou Onana will be part of Boubacar Kamara in the midst of the park.

Newcastle vs Aston Villa Key Elements to Contemplate

• When Newcastle and Aston Villa final met at St. James’ Park again in August 2023, the Magpies collected a 5-1 romp on house soil.
• In reality, the Magpies gained their two Premier League conferences in opposition to Villa final season by an combination rating of 8-2.
• Newcastle have gained every of their earlier three appearances throughout all competitions by an combination rating of 11-1.
• Aston Villa have gained 4 of their earlier 5 matchups throughout all codecs.
• Nonetheless, Emery’s aspect have misplaced 5 of their final six appearances away from Villa Park.

Conclusion

In a contest that tends to supply loads of fireworks, neutrals will probably be hoping for one more Premier League thriller right here. With Newcastle profitable their two conferences in opposition to Aston Villa final season by an combination rating of 8-2, Howe’s aspect will probably be seeking to lengthen on their current flurry on Thursday evening. It must be famous, with simply their final 4 Premier League showdowns producing 17 objectives at each ends of the pitch, we’re backing what may very well be an actual festive thriller from St. James’ Park.

Verdict: Each groups to attain 

Finest Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Olympusbet