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Preview: Newcastle United vs. Sheffield United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Saturday's Premier League fixture between Newcastle United and Sheffield United.

Sheffield United make the trip to St James' Park to face Newcastle United looking to extend their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to five matches.

Meanwhile, the Magpies head into the contest having avoided defeat in their last two matches, helping the club move eight points clear of the relegation zone.


Match preview

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder peers at the action on February 1, 2020© Reuters

While Sheffield United remain as outsiders to secure a top-four place come the end of the season, it would be foolish for anyone to write off Chris Wilder's men while they continue to display the kind of fight which was required against Norwich City last weekend.

On another day, the Blades could have prevailed far more comfortably, but having to battle hard to register a 1-0 victory over the club's bottom-placed side may provide Wilder with more satisfaction.

Although he will naturally want a better return in the final third, his backline are showing the kind of resilience required to keep the club in contention among teams who will not relish facing them in the coming weeks and months.

Despite three defeats being recorded in their last 13 outings, those setbacks have come against Liverpool and Manchester City, highlighting that Wilder is continuing to get the best out of his united squad.

While it has been 15 top-flight matches since Sheffield conceded more than two goals in a single game, they next come up against opponents who have registered back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League.

Steve Bruce would have had his concerns when Newcastle gifted two goals to West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup when on their way to cruising through to the next round, but there has been no such issue in English football's top tier.

Since the start of February, shutouts have come against Norwich City, Burnley and Southampton, with the second-half capitulation at Arsenal the only notable blot on their copybook.

With an eight-point cushion above the drop zone, Bruce and his side now have some breathing space to place slightly more emphasis on boosting a desperately poor goalscoring record.

Bruce will also hope that Allan Saint-Maximin's well-taken winner at St Mary's last weekend will act as the catalyst for a much-improved end to the campaign for the summer arrival.

Newcastle United Premier League form: DDLLDW
Newcastle United form (all competitions): WLLDDW

Sheffield United Premier League form: DLWWDW
Sheffield United form (all competitions): WWWDWW


Team News

Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka pictured on January 21, 2020© Reuters

With Newcastle stopper Martin Dubravka having been ruled out for at least a month, Karl Darlow will be handed an opportunity between the sticks.

Barring any late fitness issues, the remainder of the starting lineup could stay the same, with Dwight Gayle continuing to get the nod over Joelinton.

Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey are also expected to be preferred to the likes of Nabil Bentaleb.

Wilder will make at least one change to his Blades XI after Enda Stevens was ruled out for a number of weeks with a calf injury.

Ben Osborn is likely to take the place of the left wing-back, while Oliver McBurnie is pushing for a start after recovering from a knock.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Darlow; Manquillo, Lascelles, Fernandez, Rose; Ritchie, Shelvey, Hayden, Saint-Maximin; Almiron, Gayle

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Basham, Egan, O'Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Osborn; McBurnie, Sharp


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Newcastle United 0-1 Sheffield United

Everything points to this game being a low-scoring affair. However, while Newcastle have shown recently that they are capable of keeping clean sheets, the Blades have made a habit of grinding out results and we expect Wilder's side to come through with a narrow win.


ID:392577:

Who will win Saturday's Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Sheffield United?

Newcastle United
Draw
Sheffield United
Newcastle United
18.2%
Draw
36.4%
Sheffield United
45.5%
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Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka pictured on January 21, 2020
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Martin Dubravka out until April with knee injury
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLiverpool38323385335299
2Manchester CityMan City382639102356781
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd381812866363066
4Chelsea382061269541566
5Leicester CityLeicester381881267412662
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs3816111161471459
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves381514951401159
8Arsenal381414105648856
9Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd381412123939054
10Burnley38159144350-754
11Southampton38157165160-952
12Everton381310154456-1249
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381111163858-2044
14Crystal Palace381110173150-1943
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton38914153954-1541
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham38109194962-1339
17Aston Villa3898214167-2635
RBournemouth3897224065-2534
RWatford38810203664-2834
RNorwich CityNorwich3856272675-4921

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