Michael Owen predicted Newcastle United’s clash with Wolves to be a close affair on Sunday and shared that if one side was going to win that match then it would most likely be Rafa Benitez’s side.
The BT Sport pundit highlighted the fact Wolves were struggling for goals on their travels before sharing how impressed he was with the Magpies’ defence during their 1-1 draw with Everton on Wednesday.
Owen in particular heaped praise on Magpies centre-back Jamaal Lascelles as he labelled his display against the Toffees as ‘outstanding.’
“Wolves came from behind to beat Chelsea at Molineux midweek, but they are struggling for goals on the road and if there is to be a winner at St James’s Park on Sunday then I feel it will be the hosts,” wrote Owen for BetVictor.
“I was very impressed with the Magpies defensively at Goodison midweek with the returning skipper Jamaal Lascelles outstanding in a three-man defence. It will be interesting to see if Rafa Benitez perseveres with the system back on home soil.”
OPINION
Newcastle supporters will be hoping Wolves’ luck isn’t turning in their favour after they ended their recent poor run of form by overcoming Chelsea in midweek. Nuno Espírito Santo would have been thrilled that his side were able to defeat a very impressive Chelsea side and his squad are no doubting feeling comfortable about their ability as a result. This means Wolves will no doubt be confident of having the talent to steal a win when they visit St James Park on Sunday. However Benitez will be targeting Sunday’s clash as one his side can win in order to make them look even more comfortable in the Premier League. It was a good point picked up in midweek against the Toffees as Marco Silva’s side have looked formidable at times this season. Yet Benitez will be targeting his side to build on that respectable draw by getting all three points on their next outings. Also while Owen notes that Lascelles was outstanding in a three-man defence, it’s unclear whether Benitez will change his formation for the showdown with Wolves.
