Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United
Football : English Premier League
Saturday 28 August 2010 - Kickoff 3pm

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Wolverhampton Wanderers

The biggest compliment I can give to Mick McCarthy's Wolves side is that they really do look like a Premier League team. For long periods last season, they look destined to go down, but they showed real courage in getting the results they needed and have strengthened well this Summer. If they can improve their form at Molineux, I think they will have a season where they avoid the relegation scrap.

Wolves have started this season well by picking up 4 points from 2 tough games against Stoke City at home and at Everton. I am sure they will have been happy with that outcome but will want to continue their form as we enter the International break. Wolves were 5-6-8 at home last season, scoring just 13 goals while conceding 22. This meant they had the least wins at home along with Portsmouth, and no side scored less at home, so the 2 goals against Stoke this season would have been welcomed.

Michael Mancienne signed for Wolves on loan from Chelsea and will be in the squad. Steven Fletcher and Karl Henry should both be available. The sad news for Wolves fans will be the retirement of 29 year old goalkeeper Matt Murray due to persistent knee troubles.

Newcastle United

Newcastle United showed their capabilities last week as they demolished Aston Villa at home and also ensured Joey Barton removes that ridiculous moustache he had grown. The result was the perfect reply to those who thought Newcastle would struggle this season, but Aston Villa were awful and really helped the Magpie cause. Andy Carroll made a great start to life in the Premier League and his goals could be vital if they are to stay in this League.

It will be interesting to see how Newcastle do away from home this season, that being their achilles heal when being relegated 2 seasons ago. They were comfortably beaten at Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season, and the defence still looks a little suspect. Newcastle finished with a 2-6-11 record away from home the last time they were in the Premier League and will need to improve that this season or the pressure will build in aiming to get results at St James' Park.

Chris Hughton rested the entire first 11 for their Carling Cup win at Accrington Stanley on Wednesday and all are expected to be restored.

Possible Newcastle United Line Up: Harper, Perch, Enrique, Williamson, Coloccini, Barton, Nolan, Smith, Routledge, Guttierez and Carroll (4-5-1)

Head to Head

These 2 sides last met when both were in the Premier League in the 2003-04 season. In that season, both games were drawn 1-1.

Wolves and Newcastle have actually only met 5 times in the last 22 years, and it is Wolves who have won 3 times here. Newcastle have just 1 victory in that time, but those results are irrelevant now.

Prediction

Wolverhampton Wanderers have started the season brightly as they look to push on from mere survival. They have a good side now and have proved how tough they are to beat here towards the end of last season and beginning of this. They are unbeaten in their last 5 Premier League games here, although only winning 2 of those games.

Newcastle United were brilliant last weekend, although a little suspect at the back, but I have to hesitate in my praise a touch after seeing the defending of Aston Villa. They will need to maintain the kind of perfomance they gave last week, but it will be hard if they always look like conceding a goal. Andy Carroll is going to be a handful for defences and there is some genuine quality at Newcastle, and it will be interesting to see how expectation changes may affect team performances.

I actually think Wolves are going to have a half decent season although much of that will depend on how they perform here at Molineux. It is games like this where they will want to get positive results. I am also still not fully convinced by Newcastle, regardless of their last 2 wins, and I will pick Wolves here to win at a nice looking price.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Newcastle United

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll have a go at the Wolverhampton Wanderers WIN