After dueling for a Champions League spot last season, Newcastle and Liverpool clash at St. James’ Park on Sunday in the weekend’s standout Premier League matchup.
The Magpies had the last laugh in that race for fourth place, and they’ve signaled their intentions this season with a 5-1 demolition of Aston Villa on the opening weekend, followed by a narrow loss away to Manchester City last time out.
Three years on from winning the title, this has the feel of a transition year for Liverpool, with an ongoing overhaul in midfield. But the Reds remain a threat and they’ve taken four points from their first two games, with a solid 3-1 win over Bournemouth on the heels of a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
Read on for our free Newcastle vs Liverpool picks and predictions ahead of this marquee Sunday, August 27 showdown.
Newcastle vs Liverpool best odds
Newcastle vs Liverpool picks and predictions
Whenever these two teams square off, it conjures memories of their thrillers during the Kevin Keegan era on Tyneside. This Newcastle team packs a similar scoring punch, but Eddie Howe has instilled solidity at the other end of the field, as the Magpies showed in limiting the free-scoring Man City machine.
Newcastle have made St. James’ Park a fortress again during their resurgence, and I’m banking on the hosts feeding off another electric atmosphere on Sunday.
They collected 39 points at home in the league last season, with 11 wins and just two losses, while Liverpool lost eight of their 19 Premier League road games. That seems like a formula for the Magpies to grind out a victory.
Howe has opted to play Alexander Isak as his lone striker in the opening two games, and I like the Magpies’ depth as a trump card if the game is tight heading into the final 30 minutes. Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes have been used as game-changing subs, and both were on the scoresheet against Villa.
Meanwhile, the Reds’ preparations haven’t been helped by rumors linking Mo Salah with a move to the Saudi league. Jurgen Klopp was quick to shut that down this week, but it’s fair to wonder whether it’s been a distraction.
Newcastle’s masterclass against Villa in the season opener showcased the team’s potential when they find top gear, and I’m picking the hosts to bag the three points this weekend.
My best bet: Newcastle moneyline (+120 at bet365)
Newcastle vs Liverpool same-game parlay
Newcastle moneyline
BTTS — Yes
Alexander Isak anytime goal
While I don’t foresee a repeat of Newcastle’s 5-1 opening-day performance, I expect goals on Sunday. The Magpies have a wealth of attacking weapons, and the visitors will pose their own problems with Salah, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota linking up. That should translate to enough chances to cash in the BTTS — Yes prop.
Isak hit the ground running with two goals in the season opener — and the Liverpool defense could be vulnerable if Ibrahima Konate is ruled out with a muscle injury. I’m padding my SGP with a wager on the Newcastle striker finding the net again on Sunday.
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Newcastle vs Liverpool spread and Over/Under analysis
Liverpool were the only team to beat Newcastle home and away in the league last season, and that may explain why Klopp’s men are only slight underdogs this weekend. Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo netted first-half goals in their last meeting at St. James’ Park back in May, but the Magpies were without Bruno Guimarães.
The midfield battle could be decisive here — I like Newcastle to get the upper hand with Sandro Tonali, Guimarães, and Joelinton up against Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, who had his red card against Bournemouth waved off this week. Liverpool are reshaping their midfield on the fly after losing Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and James Milner this summer, and the hosts are primed to pounce on any slip-ups.
While three of the past five meetings between these teams have hit the Under on 2.5 total goals, I expect offensive fireworks in this showdown. Liverpool had 26 shots against Bournemouth last weekend, while Newcastle shredded a talented Villa side in their first home game of the season.
The Magpies only managed one shot on target against City, but they should take positives from that outing. I see the hosts enjoying a bigger possession edge on Sunday against a Liverpool team that was limited to 35% of the possession at Stamford Bridge.
If stopping Salah is at the heart of the Magpies’ game plan, a solution for Diaz may be next on the list. He’s scored two of the Reds’ four goals this season.
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Newcastle vs Liverpool game info
| Location: | St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Date: | Sunday, August 27, 2023 |
| Time: | 11:30 a.m. ET |
| TV: | USA |
| Weather: | 60s with significant rain |
Newcastle vs Liverpool key injuries
Newcastle: Joelinton M (Probable), Javier Manquillo D (Questionable), Joe Willock M (Out), Emil Krafth D (Out).
Liverpool: Trent Alexander-Arnold D (Probable), Ibrahima Konate D (Questionable), Thiago Alcantara M (Out), Curtis Jones M (Out).
Newcastle vs Liverpool recent league form
| Teams | Recent Premier League Form |
|---|---|
 Newcastle |
L-W |
 Liverpool |
W-D |
