Newcastle United face a challenging task as they welcome league leaders Liverpool to St James’ Park on Wednesday. Eddie Howe’s team has been inconsistent this season, sitting in 11th place after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. Despite dominating large portions of their last match, a late equalizer once again exposed the Magpies’ struggles to secure results.
Liverpool, under manager Arne Slot, have been nothing short of exceptional this season. Their seven-match winning streak, highlighted by a clinical 2-0 victory over Manchester City, has cemented their position at the top of the Premier League table. With an 11-point lead, the Reds are on a mission, combining attacking prowess with remarkable consistency on the road and at home.
The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Newcastle eager to defy the odds and Liverpool aiming to extend their dominance. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo have been central to Liverpool’s success, delivering consistently in crucial moments. For Newcastle, overcoming Liverpool’s momentum and breaking their 15-match winless streak against the Reds will require an exceptional performance.
Match Viewing Details
Fans in the U.S. can catch the action live via streaming on Peacock, as the game will not be broadcast on live TV.
- Match: Newcastle vs. Liverpool
- Date: Wednesday, December 4
- Kickoff Times:
- Eastern Time: 2:30 p.m.
- Central Time: 1:30 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 12:30 p.m.
- Pacific Time: 11:30 a.m.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Newcastle United
Injuries have taken a toll on Newcastle’s squad. Forward Alexander Isak is a doubt after sustaining a hip injury against Crystal Palace. Defensive options remain limited, with Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, and Emil Krafth unavailable until the New Year. Manager Eddie Howe may turn to Callum Wilson to lead the attack in Isak’s absence.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope (GK) — Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall — Longstaff, Tonali, Guimaraes — Gordon, Wilson, Barnes
- Unavailable: Sven Botman, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles
- Doubtful: Alexander Isak
Liverpool
Liverpool face their own injury concerns. Alisson Becker, Kostas Tsimikas, and Ibrahima Konate remain sidelined, along with forwards Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa. Despite the absences, Liverpool’s depth has allowed them to maintain their impressive form. Dominik Szoboszlai is likely to return to the midfield, while Darwin Nunez may replace Luis Diaz in the attack.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kelleher (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson — Gravenberch, Mac Allister — Salah, Jones, Gakpo — Nunez
- Unavailable: Alisson Becker, Kostas Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konate, Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa
Prediction
While Newcastle will fight hard on home turf, Liverpool’s firepower is expected to prevail. The Magpies’ defensive vulnerabilities could prove costly against a relentless Liverpool attack. Final prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool.
Premier League Fixtures This Week (ET)
| Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 3 | Ipswich Town vs. Crystal Palace | 2:30 p.m. |
| Leicester City vs. West Ham United | 3:15 p.m. | |
| Dec. 4 | Everton vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2:30 p.m. |
| Manchester City vs. Nottingham Forest | 2:30 p.m. | |
| Newcastle vs. Liverpool | 2:30 p.m. | |
| Southampton vs. Chelsea | 2:30 p.m. | |
| Arsenal vs. Manchester United | 3:15 p.m. | |
| Aston Villa vs. Brentford | 3:15 p.m. | |
| Dec. 5 | Fulham vs. Brighton & Hove Albion | 2:30 p.m. |
| AFC Bournemouth vs. Tottenham Hotspur | 3:15 p.m. |
