Newcastle United vs Leeds United Preview: Team News, Tactical Overview & Prediction

Newcastle United began a run of four consecutive home games with a 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Six points in the last two games have moved the Magpies up into ninth in the Premier League just two points behind fifth placed Chelsea.

Depending on results, another win against Leeds could see Newcastle move as high as fifth in the table.

Read our full match report and reaction.

Match Details

• Fixture: Newcastle United vs Leeds United

• Competition: Premier League

• Date: Wednesday 7 January 2025

• Kick-off: 8.15 GMT

• Venue: St James’ Park

• TV coverage: Live on Sky

• Referee: Michael Salisbury

Newcastle United Team News & Predicted Line-Up

Eddie Howe has Tino Livramento, Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier available and Jacob Murphy has had the all clear after a hamstring scan. Anthony Elanga, Will Osula, Dan Burn, Emile Krafth and Jammal Lascelles are unavailable through injury.

With Nick Woltemade expected to come back for Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnes replacing Murphy, Tino Livramento coming back in at right back, Botman a possible starter and Lewis Miley taking a midfield place this could be Newcastle's starting eleven...

Newcastle United Predicted Line Up: Pope - Livramento, Thiaw, Botman Hall - Miley, Bruno, Joelinton - Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon.

Speaking ahead of the game, Eddie Howe addressed injuries, form and speculation in his pre-match press conference.

Leeds United: Team News & Predicted Line Up

Leeds will be without winger Daniel James who is injured but former Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff returned from injury and was on the bench against Manchester United.

Leeds United Predicted Line Up: Lucas Perri - Seb Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk -James Justin, Anton Stach, Ilia Gruev, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Brenden Aaronson, -Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor

Tactical Overview

Under pressure for results earlier in the season, Daniel Farke switched Leeds United to a 3-5-2 system, a change that has delivered a seven-game unbeaten run.

That sequence includes victories over Chelsea and Crystal Palace, alongside draws against Liverpool, Sunderland and Manchester United, with Leeds conceding more than one goal only once during that spell.

The 3-5-2 shape has made Leeds far more compact and difficult to break down, while still offering a threat at the top end of the pitch, particularly with Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit and on a goal scoring run.

The key battleground will be midfield, where Leeds’ system naturally creates a numerical advantage. To counter that, Newcastle United will need to get their full-backs high and wide, press aggressively down the flanks and stretch the back three.

Leeds play with high tempo and physical intensity and will arrive at St James’ Park full of confidence. For Newcastle, this will be a contest that demands energy and an aggressive edge to ensure that battles are won across the pitch and possession controlled.

If Newcastle get the first goal the team needs to do what they did against Crystal Palace - keep attacking and not go on the defensive and cede possession to Leeds.

Match Prediction

Both teams come into this game with confidence from recent results — Newcastle United after back-to-back wins, and Leeds United on a seven-game unbeaten run.

However, Leeds have won only twice during that spell and just once in their last five, with their strength coming from being difficult to break down. That suggests a tight contest rather than a free-scoring one for Newcastle.

Despite wins over Burnley and Crystal Palace, Newcastle have shown lapses in focus and surrendered possession too easily at times. Any repeat of that will be punished by a Leeds side who will be quick to exploit weaknesses.

This feels like a physical, hard-fought game where midfield control will be decisive. Joelinton could be key, while Sandro Tonalii will need to be at his best if selected if the battle in midfield is to be won.

A win for Newcastle, depending on other results, could take the Magpies as high as fifth in the Premier League table.

Prediction: Newcastle United 2–1 Leeds United.

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