Newcastle United v Leeds United: YEP Jury give their big-match predictions

DAVID WATKINS

It’s been the case for years now; almost every game we face could be billed as a ‘must win’ for one reason or another!

Once again, with a glance over our shoulders at the teams below us starting to show some form, we go into this one against the Toon needing the boost of at least a rousing performance if not all three points.

Our season so far has been true to our anthem as we’ve had more than our share of ups and downs; some brilliant displays and some lacklustre performances and, all bar two league games finishing either with three or no points.

We could do with another win as defeats now outnumber victories by nine to seven.

Newcastle have now lost 10 league games this season after their 2-0 defeat at Villa and we meet them with a four-point advantage.

Newcastle are rock bottom of the form table with no win in eight but that’s not as bad as the form Brighton arrived at Elland Road in and look what happened in that one!

It’s usually about this time that we manage to turn our Christmas and new year form around but I’ve a feeling we’ll struggle at least once more.

Prediction: Newcastle United 1 Leeds United 1.

MATTHEW EVANS

We need to get off the mark for 2021 and what better place to do that than Newcastle United?

We’ve already put five past them this season and Steve Bruce’s side appear to be in freefall.

It’s not as simple as that though, as any long time Leeds United fan will tell you. I expect us to make much heavier weather of this reverse fixture, even if we are away from the quagmire of Elland Road.

We’ve got players out of form, we’re lacking a bit of consistency in the starting XI we’re able to put out and we’re in a bad spell of form.

Kalvin Phillips being back from his suspension will be a big boost, as will having Llorente coming into central defence.

Even so, I’m not feeling fully confident and wouldn’t be surprised to see the first 0-0 draw of our new Premier League era.

As ever, let’s hope I’m wrong and we can get our first points of the year.

Prediction: Newcastle United 0 Leeds United 0.

KEITH INGHAM

This game is seen as crucial to Steve Bruce keeping his job at the club and by the time this goes to print he may already be the second managerial sacking of this season.

Ex-legend of the club Alan Shearer said the club had “no identity” when speaking about them on BBC Match of the Day a week or two back.

It is hoped that Marcelo Bielsa will have both captain Liam Cooper and Deigo Llorente to start in centre of defence meaning Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas can revert back to their roles as full-backs.

Tyler Roberts’ performance against Brighton gives Bielsa an option at number 10 as Rodrigo didn’t have the best of games.

Kalvin Phillips should return to midfield after serving his one-match ban.

Leeds face trips to Newcastle and Leicester City in the space of four days so the first win of 2021 would be most welcome at St James’ Park.

I’m always hopeful when Leeds cross the white line and they have had some excellent wins on their travels, so if they can make it four for the season I will be more than happy.

Prediction: Newcastle United 1 Leeds United 3.

JACOB STARR

Coming up on Tuesday is a game which will raise numerous questions if Leeds come away with a fourth successive defeat.

More so because of the opposition, who are in even more of a rut.

Newcastle were battered 5-2 when the sides met at Elland Road back in mid-December, and since then, the Geordies have looked pretty abysmal to say the least, notably providing Sheffield United with their first win of the season.

Steve Bruce has yet to be sacked despite the barrage of fan criticism but may well be if the Whites put his side to the sword again, but this is Leeds United we are talking about. How many times have we rolled over for teams in dreadful spells of form over the years?

Fingers crossed Illan Meslier is back available, whilst I would be expecting some kind of reshuffle at the back with Diego Llorente coming back in to partner Liam Cooper.

A clean sheet would do Marcelo Bielsa’s men the world of good. I can’t see it being a seven-goal thriller again.

Prediction: Newcastle United 0 Leeds United 1.

MIKE GILL

After their enforced break, Leeds United make the short trip up the A1 to Newcastle.

Although it would be foolish to assume that the Whites will hand them out another thrashing, there aren’t too many teams that we would rather be facing right now.

The Magpies are in a depressing trough at the moment.

They are being kept alive only by their early-season results and the poor form of the teams below them in the table.

The problem is that both Burnley and Brighton have looked more solid lately and as we are painfully aware, this has started to reflect in their results.

On Saturday’s only Premier League fixture the Magpies lost 2-0 to Aston Villa and they haven’t won a game since mid-December.

Leeds need to put this one to bed and carry this task out convincingly.

It will be good to welcome Kalvin Phillips back and it’s time for our attack to find their shooting boots again.

This should also be an opportunity to look for another clean sheet irrespective of the defensive line-up.

Prediction: Newcastle United 0 Leeds United 2.

ANDY RHODES

It has been some time since this was a Premier League fixture, and it’s one that we’ve all missed. There’s not many games this season that would feel the benefit more with a full house.

The Magpies haven’t had it too good recently but, then again, neither have Leeds.

Both sides are on winless runs but Newcastle’s extends to when these two sides last met in mid-December.

Leeds, meanwhile, need to rediscover their goal-scoring touch having lacked a certain cutting edge in their last three games.

Creativity has been a major issue in those matches, leaving Patrick Bamford with little service to work with.

There’s no doubt that the lack of creativity will be at the forefront of Marcelo Bielsa’s mind at the moment.

Admittedly, Leeds did miss the suspended Kalvin Phillips last week so his return will be welcome.

A victory here would kickstart United’s 2021 and pull them away from the chasing pack.

Prediction: Newcastle United 1 Leeds United 2.

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