Newcastle vs Wolves: Must-Win Clash as Both Teams Seek First Victory

Newcastle host Wolverhampton at St James’ Park in a Saturday 3pm kick-off, with both sides searching for their first win of the season. The Magpies have drawn two and lost one of their opening three fixtures, while Wolves remain the only team in the division yet to register a single point.

Eddie Howe’s men will be desperate to put a frustrating August behind them. The Alexander Isak transfer saga seemed to unsettle the club both on and off the pitch, with Newcastle finding the net in only one of their first three matches. Howe has acknowledged his team’s “slow start” and stressed the importance of “building momentum very quickly.”

With Isak having completed a British transfer-record £130m move to Liverpool, Newcastle will be relying on new arrival Nick Woltemade to hit the ground running. Signed from Stuttgart for £69m, the 23-year-old German international scored 17 goals and provided three assists in 33 games last season. Another attacking option, Yoane Wissa, was brought in from Brentford for £55m, but the Congolese winger is sidelined after picking up a knee injury on international duty. Summer signing Jacob Ramsey will also miss the game with an injury that is expected to keep him out for four weeks, while star man Anthony Gordon is suspended following his red card against Liverpool. On the brighter side, Joelinton has returned to training and is available for selection, easing some of Howe’s injury woes.

For Wolves, Vítor Pereira faces growing concerns after a dreadful start. His side have lost all three of their opening fixtures, conceding eight goals while scoring just twice. To make matters worse, key striker Jørgen Strand Larsen could miss out again after sitting out both the Everton clash and the international break with an Achilles issue. The Norwegian, heavily linked with Newcastle in the summer, remains a vital figure for Wolves, and his absence would be a significant blow.

In his place, Pereira may turn to deadline-day signing Tolu Arokodare. The Nigerian forward arrives from Genk after an impressive 2024/25 campaign, where he scored 23 goals and notched seven assists in 40 games.

On paper, Newcastle enter as strong favourites, having lost just twice in their 20 Premier League meetings with Wolves. However, the visitors will be determined to end their barren run and claim their first win at St James’ Park since 2018.

Predicted Line-Ups

Newcastle: Pope; Livramento, Schär, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimarães, Joelinton; Barnes, Woltemade, Elanga

Wolverhampton: Sá; Santiago Bueno, Agbadou, Toti Gomes; Rodrigo Gomes, André, João Gomes, Wolfe; Arias, Arokodare, Munetsi