Jermaine Jenas believes that Newcastle United will have to wait another week for their first win of the season by predicting Steve Bruce’s side to draw against Norwich in their meeting at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at St James’ Park on Sunday after a defensive mistake in the second half.
Norwich’s first game back in the top-flight resulted in them being beaten 4-1 by Liverpool at Anfield but Jenas has seen enough from the Championship title-holders to suggest that they can earn a 2-2 draw against Newcastle this weekend.
“Yes Norwich were a bit naive at times in their first game but going forward they have shown why they were so exciting to watch in the Championship last season,” said Jenas, as quoted by the Chronicle.
OPINION
The hardest thing to believe about Jenas’ prediction is that he has tipped Newcastle to score two goals. Based on last week’s showing against Arsenal, it’s hard to see how the Magpies are going to hit the back of the net on a regular basis because their attacking play was very lethargic at times. Allan Saint-Maximin made an impact after he came off the bench in the second half so it will be interesting to see if he starts in the attack alongside Joelinton and Miguel Almiron. They are three of Newcastle’s most expensive players in the club’s history and without them in the side, it’s difficult to see there being many goals scored unless they come from set-pieces. Norwich have some good attacking players who lit up the Championship last season. They will see Newcastle as a vulnerable team and with Carrow Road bouncing on Saturday, there’s a good chance that the Canaries will pick up all three points.