There’s a feast of Championship action on Good Friday, but the headline fixture is the evening game, which sees Newcastle host playoff chasing Leeds at St. James’ Park. Newcastle currently sit second in the table, two points behind Brighton, while Leeds are sat in fifth with 72 points, five ahead of Fulham in seventh place.
Last weekend didn’t go to plan for Rafa Benitez and the Magpies, who went into it top of the league. However, they lost to Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 and also lost leading scorer Dwight Gayle to a hamstring injury. Losing Gayle is a big blow for Newcastle, as the striker scored twice in Newcastle’s 2-0 victory over Leeds at Elland Road earlier this season.
On the other hand, Leeds beat Preston 3-0 in their game last weekend and also boast the Championship’s top goalscorer, Chris Wood, in their ranks. Last week’s win over Preston ended a run of two straight defeats for Gary Monk’s team, who have also beaten Championship leaders Brighton in the last month.
Newcastle United vs. Leeds United Predictions
This top of the table clash should see some goals, however you wonder where Newcastle’s threat will come from with Dwight Gayle missing out. Leeds have Chris Wood, who’s shown how capable he is this season. A high scoring draw looks a likely outcome here.
Newcastle United vs. Leeds United Betting Tips
- Newcastle to win: 20/31
- Draw: 14/5
- Leeds to win: 9/2
- Over 2.5 goals: 6/1
- Chris Wood to score anytime: 9/5
Head to Head
- Newcastle have won two of their last six games (D2 L2).
- Leeds have won two of their last six games (D2 L2).
- Leeds have won just once away from home in their last six games.
- Leeds haven’t kept a clean sheet away from home since October 2016.
Newcastle United Team News
Rafa Benitez will be monitoring the fitness of both Jack Colback and Isaac Hayden ahead of Friday’s game. Both midfielders have missed the last two matches, with Colback struggling with a stomach virus and Hayden with an ankle injury. Dwight Gayle will definitely miss out with a hamstring problem.
Aside from those three players, Benitez has no further injury concerns in his squad.
Leeds United Team News
Liam Bridcutt and Hadi Sacko could both return to the starting line-up. Bridcutt missed the victory over Preston with an Achilles problem, while Sacko has been kept out of action for the last two games with an ankle injury. Goalkeeper Marco Silvestri underwent knee surgery last week and is expected to miss the rest of the season, while Liam Cooper will serve the third game of his six-match ban and fellow defender Tyler Denton is also out with a knee injury.