Paul Merson has given his verdict on whether Newcastle United will bounce back against Sheffield United on Saturday.
It is a quick turnaround for the Magpies, who are in action at St James’ Park this weekend just days after a disappointing trip down south.
Eddie Howe‘s side were convincingly beaten by Crystal Palace on Wednesday, who won 2-0 thanks to a brace from Jean-Philippe Mateta. It was a dreadful performance from Newcastle United, who must now offer a response against the Blades.
It will be home comforts for the Magpies, who are much better at St James’ Park than they are on the road. That has been a big issue for Newcastle United this season, with 10 of their Premier League defeats coming away from home.
Newcastle United could relegate Sheffield United on Saturday
But that is a problem for next week when they travel to Burnley. Howe’s current focus is beating Sheffield United, who could be relegated on Tyneside this weekend.
Chris Wilder’s side were beaten 4-2 by Manchester United on Wednesday and remained rooted to the bottom of the table. That defeat means that relegation is all but certain, and their place in next season’s Championship will be confirmed if they lose to Newcastle.
Paul Merson predicts who will win between Newcastle and Sheffield United
And that is exactly what Paul Merson thinks will happen, as he predicts the score of Newcastle United vs Sheffield United for Sportskeeda.
He has tipped the Magpies to win 4-0 on Saturday, and bounce back after their midweek loss.
“Sheffield United have conceded four goals in each of their last two games and got well beaten by Manchester United despite putting up a fight,” he said.
“Newcastle were on the wrong end of a beating by Palace the other day, but they are a good team at home and should get all three points against the basement dwellers.”
Eddie Howe’s side must put the Blades to the sword
Sheffield United have been leaking goals all season, so it is no surprise that Merson has tipped Wilder’s side to suffer another heavy defeat. They have conceded 92 goals this season, which is a Premier League record in a 38-game season – and they’ve still got four games to go.
Merson thinks Newcastle will record a handsome victory over Sheffield United this weekend, but not quite as handsome as the one they got back in September.
The Magpies absolutely battered the Blades earlier this season, winning 8-0 at Bramall Lane. It was an incredible afternoon in South Yorkshire, with eight different Newcastle United players finding the net.
Newcastle striker set for St James’ Park return after scoring in reverse fixture
One of the scorers was Callum Wilson, who is back from a pectoral injury. He made his comeback on Wednesday night against Palace, and will be eager to be involved versus Sheffield United.
But another scorer who won’t feature is Sven Botman. He netted the Magpies’ third goal on that day, but is now out with a second ACL injury of the season. Funnily enough, he was actually carrying the first ACL injury during the game at Bramall Lane, but did not realise until afterwards.
That was also the same day that Harvey Barnes got injured, sustaining a strange foot injury that ruled him out for months. He is expected to start on Saturday alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
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