Our prediction for this Premier League match:
St. James’ Park will host Friday’s football game between Newcastle United and Wolverhampton. The Magpies aim to put an end to their three-game losing run, but they face a difficult task on Matchday 32. Since Newcastle experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 5-1 loss to Spurs, home win should not be considered. Callum Wilson remains in the recovery room, as well as January signing Kieran Trippier, who continues to be sorely missed.
The Wolves, on the other hand, quickly bounced back from a 3-2 loss to Leeds United, with the team beating Aston Villa 2-1 at the weekend. Bruno Lage’s troops aim to climb to the Conference League berth, and they should take advantage of Newcastle’s poor form. Raul Jimenez remains on the sidelines through suspension, while both Ruben Neves and Ki-Jana Hoever miss out with injuries for the visiting side.
Highlighted Player (Chris Wood):
Chris Wood is a New Zealand international who was born on 7 December, 1991. Wood plays as a striker and he began his senior career at Waikato FC. In 2009 he joined West Bromwich Albion, but he played no more than 21 league games for the Baggies.
The New Zealand attacker played for the likes of Barnsley, Brighton, Birmingham City, Bristol City, Millwall, Leicester City and Ipswich Town on loan in the past, but in July 2015 he signed a four-year deal with Leeds United. Chris Wood scored 13 goals for the Whites in the 2015/2016 Championship campaign and he was given the number 9 shirt. Wood made his Leeds debut on 8 August, 2015 in a 1-1 draw against Burnley. Speaking of his debut for New Zealand, he made his first appearance for the All Whites in a friendly game against Tanzania on 3 June. 2009.
It has to be noted that he represented New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and he was the youngest player in the squad. His sister Chelsey Wood is a football player as well and she represented New Zealand at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Highlighted Team (Wolves):
Wolverhampton are a club that was originally known as St. Luke’s FC. The Wolves play in the Championship and they were founded in 1877. Molineux is the home ground of Wolverhampton and the capacity of the stadium is 31,700. Wolverhampton have won four FA Cup trophies (1893, 1908, 1949, 1960), with the team lifting the League Cup trophy in 1974 and 1980.
The colour of the club’s shirts is orange and they wear black shorts. The Wolves wear blue jerseys when playing away from home. Wolverhampton’s main rivals are West Bromwich Albion and they have been facing each other in the Black Country derby since 1888. In their first meeting in the local derby WBA recorded a 1-0 win over Wolves.
Wolverhampton have won three First Division trophies (1953/1954, 1957/1958, 1958/1959) and they have clinched four FA Cup titles as well (1893, 1908, 1949, 1960). The club’s owner is Steve Morgan.