English Premier
2025-08-25 - Newcastle United vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Monday 25th August 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Newcastle United
The fans made their feelings clear to Alexander Isak during the goalless draw with Aston Villa, but there is little doubt that Newcastle United missed the star striker. It would be difficult to make a case for anything other than a win last weekend at Villa Park if Isak had been available considering the chances that Newcastle United created and that will have frustrated Eddie Howe and the Swedish international's team-mates.
The saga took another twist during the week with the first official statement from Alexander Isak, one that Newcastle United Football Club pushed back against almost immediately. It has been a tough couple of months for everyone associated with Newcastle United having failed to make the kind of signings expected ahead of a season where Champions League Football returns to the North East, but motivation for this fixture on Monday evening will be very high.
Newcastle United's draw at Aston Villa means they have won 1 of their last 5 Premier League games going back to last season. The Magpies had won 6 League games in a row at St James' Park before being upset by Everton on the final day of the season, although Aston Villa's defeat at Old Trafford meant a 5th place finish for Newcastle United and a return to the Champions League.
Alexander Isak is not going to be involved, which is no surprise. Joe Willock is expected to return after the September international break.
Liverpool
They won the title last season by a comfortable margin, and Liverpool were rewarded by finding a way to turn games around even when not at their very best. Arne Slot will not have been happy with the performance last Friday, but the players showed that character again when scoring two late goals to beat Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield.
Even after picking up those three points, some Liverpool fans may be wondering if the squad still needs to be bolstered and Alexander Isak has been the prime target. Expect the manager to avoid all talk about Isak in the build up to this one and Arne Slot will be trying to focus his squad ahead of what looks a very tough test. The Reds did finish with the best away record in the Premier League last season at 11-5-3.
Liverpool won the title and then perhaps lost some focus, which could be the reason they failed to win any of 4 Premier League games before the victory over Bournemouth to open the new campaign. The side have won 1 of their last 4 away Premier League fixtures and Liverpool have been beaten in 3 of those matches, including the last 2 in succession.
Ryan Gravenberch is back from a suspension, while Jeremie Frimpong is expected to return after the next international break following his withdrawal in the second half last weekend. Conor Bradley is back in training and most likely to deputise for the away team.
Head to Head
Liverpool took four points from Newcastle United in the Premier League last season.
However, it was The Magpies who ended their long search for silverware by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the League Cup Final.
The game at St James' Park ended in a 3-3 draw, although that has extended Newcastle United's run to 8 without a home victory over Liverpool.
On the other hand, Liverpool had won 3 in a row in this part of the North East before that game in December 2024.
Prediction
An opening League fixture at home will always bring plenty of excitement and passion to the fore, but you can imagine the Newcastle United fans are chomping at the bit for this one.
The fixture had already been moved to a Bank Holiday evening kickoff prior to all of the Alexander Isak drama and that has only added to the occasion.
Make no mistake, St James' Park is going to be up for this one.
A lot of the fans will blame Isak for the way he has conducted himself over the last three weeks, but plenty will be looking at Liverpool and blaming them for unsettling the star striker. All of that will be on display on Monday and Eddie Howe and the Newcastle United coaching staff may just have to keep players on a tight leash and make sure they cannot lose their personal control.
There was plenty to like about Newcastle United's performance last week at Villa Park, especially with the way the players have dealt with the noise around the club. However, they did miss Alexander Isak and a solution has to be found for how Newcastle United lead the line.
A vulnerable Liverpool defence is there to be exploited and Eddie Howe may take encouragement from the way Bournemouth had success, even if they had a traditional Number Nine leading the line. The Newcastle United front line has a lot of pace and they will look to counter, even if Liverpool benefit from having Ryan Gravenberch back from suspension.
Arne Slot may choose for a more cautious starting team by taking out one of the attackers that started the win over Bournemouth and having the Dutchman restored to the midfield.
Even then, Liverpool will certainly have plenty of attacking threat on the field and this could develop into a really exciting football match.
Despite Alexander Isak sitting out, goals have to be expected and 5 of the last 7 between the clubs have finished with at least three goals shared out. The oddsmakers are giving nothing away with prices very low for that to happen again, but it may pay out to look for at least one more goal to be scored.
2 of the last 4 matches between Newcastle United and Liverpool have ended with at least four goals shared out and there is every chance this fixture can do the same.
Liverpool's price has been drifting and they are now odds against to win here, but that still looks a touch short.
Last season they won at Manchester City, but Liverpool failed to do the same when visiting 6 of the other 7 clubs that finished below them in the final standings.
5 of those 7 away fixtures ended with at least four goals shared out and so backing at least four goals to be scored on Monday Night Football is an appealing enough price to be backed.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool
