BBC Sport pundit weighs in – On the money with his Newcastle United analysis? | OneFootball

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

Chris Sutton speaking ahead of Saturday afternoon’s match at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United players looking to bounce back to the levels of performance they showed last week against league leaders Liverpool.

As opposed to the dire second half display at Brentford last Saturday.

Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 12 December 2024:

“I did not like the way Leicester treated Steve Cooper but they have definitely had a bounce since appointing Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has made the start he desired.

“It is fair to say that Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has not had the season he wanted so far, but any team who can beat Arsenal and draw with Liverpool, must have something about them.

“Howe’s side have been consistently inconsistent, but they are not far off becoming the team he wants them to be.

“I am expecting them to click here and I actually think this will be quite straightforward for them.

“Prediction: Newcastle 3 Leicester 0”

So is the BBC Sport man on the money with his comments?

Well, this has been a season of inconsistency throughout the Premier League, with Liverpool the only exception.

Newcastle United have been up there with the ‘best’ of them when it comes to that inconsistency.

However, as Chris Sutton points out, Newcastle United have shown how good they can be, especially at home, with those results against Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as the win against Chelsea in the cup and the Premier League draw at home to Man City (before they started losing every match!).

Last weekend kind of summed up how pretty much anything can happen in any Premier League match, between any two teams.

Newcastle were the better side against Brentford in the first half and had some great chances, only to end up 2-2 at half-time due to only taking two of those chances, whilst defending poorly for the home side’s goals, which were both great finishes though. As we all know, after letting them off the hook, after the break Brentford played well and Newcastle didn’t, the home side deservedly winning in the end.

Down at the King Power stadium, Brighton dominated and 2-0 up heading into the final five minutes.

Leicester had managed only one effort on target and then out of nowhere, Jamie Vardy scores on 86 minutes and the Foxes manage an equaliser in added time.

Absolute proof that you have to kill off the opposition when on top AND have full focus for the entire match, not just part of it.

If Newcastle United play well on Saturday then difficult to see them not winning, if they take their chances AND no gifts in defence.

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)

Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)

Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)

Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)