BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson has delivered his prediction for Newcastle United’s trip to Leicester City on Sunday, and it’s not good news for Magpies fans.
Steve Bruce’s side make the daunting journey down to the King Power Stadium, and Lawrenson believes the hosts will triumph 2-0. However, Lawro doesn’t think the north east giants will be in relegation trouble this season.
“They will have to work hard to break Newcastle down, and scoring the first goal will be important,” he wrote on the BBC Sport website.
“The Magpies are well organised and their best result so far this season came on the road, with their win at Spurs. I am not expecting Steve Bruce’s side to end up [in] a relegation scrap but their form at St James’ Park does need to improve.”
OPINION
It’s interesting that Lawrenson doesn’t believe Newcastle will be in a relegation battle this campaign, because most pundits and prognosticators feel that the Magpies will very much be in one. Currently they are just above the relegation zone, with Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford just below them. However, you’d probably have to say that all of them are better teams than Bruce’s side on paper, or that Wolves and Watford are, at least. When you couple that with the Magpies’ poor home form and how lacklustre they have looked in most games so far this term, it is rather surprising that Lawrenson is confident that they’ll steer clear of a relegation scrap. As for Lawro’s prediction for Sunday’s game, it’s hard to argue with it, to be honest. Leicester are a terrific side coming off a tremendous win over Tottenham Hotspur and Carabao Cup success against Luton Town. It’s going to be very difficult for Newcastle at the King Power.
