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

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

Chris Sutton speaking ahead of Monday night’s match.

Newcastle facing Leicester City away with an 8pm kick-off.

Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United players looking to end tonight back in the top five and with a game in hand on all of their rivals fighting for Champions League qualification.

An away victory would see Newcastle level on points with Chelsea who are fourth, whilst NUFC would be only four points behind Forest who are third, United with that game in hand on both.

Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 7 April 2025:

“Leicester should have been relegated immediately for what they did at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

“For a team who are desperate for a win, they showed absolutely zero attacking intent even when they went two goals down.

“All they were interested in was building a wall and just stopping Manchester City. I felt sorry for their travelling fans because the team offered no threat whatsoever, and didn’t even try to score.

“I can understand that everyone has a game plan but usually that changes when you go a goal or two behind. At 2-0, however, Leicester took their star striker, Jamie Vardy, off to put another midfielder on.

“That tells you where Leicester are at right now – it felt like they were waving the white flag and going for damage limitation, rather than thinking they might as well give it a go and risk conceding more goals.

“We know how nervy Manchester City have been this season, and Leicester caused them problems when they had a go at them at the King Power Stadium at the end of last year.

“This time, there was none of that. They were pretty pathetic and you have got to question what their manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was thinking.

“His team have lost their past seven league games and have not scored in any of them, and it is even longer since they managed a point or a league goal at home.

“That is not going to change here. Newcastle got an important win over Brentford in midweek to show there was no hangover from their Carabao Cup celebrations.

“Even if they hit the hotel mini-bar again on Sunday night, it wouldn’t matter – they would still beat Leicester.

“Prediction: Leicester 0 Newcastle 2”

So is the BBC Sport pundit now on the money here?

Well, Leicester very much have the feel of a team and a club who are simply waiting for the inevitable relegation.

The Foxes losing 14 of their last 15 PL matches, conceding two or more goals in 13 of the 15, scoring themselves in only three of these last 15.

No wonder Chris Sutton is predicting a 2-0 defeat for Leicester.

The BBC Sport pundit talks of Newcastle United winning this regardless of how they have prepared.

However, zero chance of that, Eddie Howe will have his team primed to go out and try and get the first goal ASAP, then look to take control and give the home side absolutely no encouragement.