Newcastle United will be out to improve their poor Premier League away record on Sunday but need to tame an improving Wolves.
Newcastle had won four in a row before their 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg loss to Manchester City on Tuesday. Back-to-back Premier League victories over Burnley and Leeds propelled them into sixth spot after 21 games.
Mane spearheading Wolves revival
Wolves still have a mountain to climb if they're to avoid relegation – they are 14 points away from safety – although they have made noticeable progress under Rob Edward. A 6-1 win over Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup made it four unbeaten in all competitions.
While some shrewd tactical tweaks by Edwards have steadied Wolves, Mateus Mane establishing himself as a first-team player has been transformative to their fortunes.
The 18-year-old was on the bench for the FA Cup win, which probably indicates his new-found importance to their league campaign. He has started the past four Premier League games and scored in the last two in a row.
He is looking to become the latest player aged 18 and under to score in three consecutive Premier League games, a feat achieved by Michael Owen (twice, 1997 and 1998), Danny Cadamarteri (1997), Francis Jeffers (1999) and Mason Greenwood (2020).
While other teams have toiled after a heavy festive schedule, Wolves have played with a freshness in their last four games. Only Chelsea have made more changes to their starting XI this season (66) than the Molineux outfit, with Joao Gomes the only player in the squad to have started more than 18 games.
Newcastle on road to ruin?
Wolves are still bottom of the table though and for Newcastle this match represents a fine chance to improve their woes on the road. They have won just two Premier League away games all season and there are parts of the team still lacking balance.
Star forward Nick Woltemade has not scored in his last six appearances since the brace against Chelsea. The German has only started three of the last seven games in all competitions too, with Howe now able to call on the fully fit Yoane Wissa.
Newcastle, given their European commitments, are also feeling the wear and tear of the season. Tino Livramento is the latest first-team player in the treatment room after he suffered a hamstring problem in the FA Cup win over Bournemouth; Howe is without six other senior players this weekend.
These injury problems align with the physicality Newcastle play with. They have made 857 recovery runs – running back from the opposition half to their own to regain their defensive position – which is more than any other Premier League team. Joelinton has made 83 alone.
