BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United – Is he on the money? | OneFootball

Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.

Chris Sutton speaking ahead of Saturday’s match.

Newcastle United kicking off again after the international break.

Facing Wolves at St James’ Park in a 3pm kick-off.

The Newcastle United players knowing how massive this will be to get a first win of the season.

This following a stalemate goalless draw at Leeds when Eddie Howe was very short of options, with preceding that a couple of match winning performances against both Villa and Liverpool in every way, apart from when it came to scoring the goals those performances should have produced.

Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 15 11 September 2025:

“Both of these teams are still without a win so far, although Wolves are the only Premier League club without a point on the board.

“Newcastle have drawn twice and only lost very late on against Liverpool, so their form is hardly cause for concern.

“They can move on now the Alexander Isak transfer saga is over, although this is our first look at their new attack.

“We will have to wait and see how fit and ready Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa are, or how they settle in, but I still think Newcastle will have too much for a Wolves team who are leaking too many goals.

“At least Wolves do carry a threat going forward – especially in Jorgen Strand Larsen, who Newcastle tried to sign last month.

“It would be typical if he went to St James’ Park and scored the winner, but I don’t see that happening.

“Prediction: Newcastle 3 Wolves 1”

As Chris Sutton points out, Wolves are bottom of the table and the only Premier League side yet to pick up a point.

Also, no Premier League team has conceded more goals than Wolves, they and West Ham have leaked eight goals and the next highest is then six goals conceded.

Time has overtaken the BBC Sport pundit, his predictions and analysis made on Thursday, before Friday’s press conferences revealed that both Yoane Wissa and Jorgen Strand Larsen will miss this match through injury.

This is where hopefully the squad strengthening carried out this summer, will start counting in Eddie Howe’s favour. He may well have been destined for the bench with Premier League experienced Yoane Wissa starting this match, however, club record signing Nick Woltemade looks set to now take centre stage.

At his Friday press conference, Wolves boss Vitor Pereira was keen to strongly push on the fact that he’d had 15 players away on international duty, meaning he’d only been left with a handful of players to be joined in training by Under 21s.

By my count, Eddie Howe had 11 first team squad players away with their countries, meaning he still had the likes of these potential starters against Wolves to train with – Pope, Ramsdale, Trippier, Hall, Schar, Botman, Thiaw, Willock, Barnes, Joelinton and Jacob Murphy. Eddie Howe revealing yesterday that as well as Wissa, Jacob Ramsey is also injured after damaging his ankle against Leeds (a bad tackle from Sean Longstaff if memory serves me well).

Could this be an added advantage for Eddie Howe. certainly I think at least six of those who weren’t away on international duty will start against Wolves. Whilst in the past, the NUFC boss has on occasion gone with additional unexpected selections who had been able to train with Newcastle during international breaks and hadn’t had the additional travel and minutes on the pitch that their teammates had experienced on international duty.

I think a fair few factors are in Newcastle United’s favour today and Wolves look to be struggling as well. Ideally, I reckon you would always choose if it were possible to have a home game after an international break and the fans need to play their part inside St James’ Park to help ensure Eddie Howe gets the right result today.

Newcastle United fixtures confirmed dates and times (All of the Champions League matches will also be available to watch on TV in the UK):

Saturday 13 September – Newcastle v Wolves (3pm)

Thursday 18th September: Newcastle United vs FC Barcelona (8pm)

Sunday 21 September – Bournemouth v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 24 September – Newcastle v Bradford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+

Sunday 28 September– Newcastle v Arsenal (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 1st October: Union SG vs Newcastle United (5:45pm)

Sunday 5 October– Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports