Premier League news: Newcastle Utd vs Ipswich Town – Five key battles and score prediction
Newcastle United host Ipswich Town on Saturday in the Premier League with both sides desperate for points at their respective ends of the table.
The race for Champions League qualification sees five teams split by only four points, with Newcastle sitting in fourth place after five wins in their last six.
And while their opponents this weekend aren't officially relegated, they need little more than a miracle to survive as they are 15 points from safety with five to play.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Joseph Hannen takes a look at five key battles to anticipate at St James’ Park and makes a score prediction.
Alexander Isak vs Jacob Greaves
Newcastle’s star striker has only one goal in his last four despite the Magpies netting 13 goals in that time.
However, Isak still sits second behind Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race with 21 goals.
The Swedish international scored his first hat-trick in black and white in the reverse fixture, when Newcastle ran out 4-0 winners.
In his last 10 home games, Isak has registered at least one goal contribution in eight of them, including braces against Wolves and Nottingham Forest.
On Saturday, he will go up against Greaves, who has struggled in his first Premier League season since joining Ipswich last summer.
The Tractor Boys, remember, have conceded 71 goals this season – only Leicester and Southampton have shipped more.
Greaves offers a poor 28.8% long-pass accuracy and 44.8% tackle-winning rate, although he has won 62.95% of his duels.
The centre-back has also helped Ipswich keep only two clean sheets, a number unlikely to improve after a trip to St James’ Park.
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Bruno Guimarães vs Sam Morsy
Newcastle’s captain continues to impress in an advanced midfield position, chipping in with four goals and six assists.
The Brazilian has won 215 duels, made 156 recoveries, and is the league's most fouled player with 98.
Only Dan Burn can better Bruno’s 2,822 minutes played for Newcastle, a run which includes starting all 33 league matches so far.
Bruno also has the most touches and carries in the final third amongst Newcastle’s midfielders, taking 35 shots and creating 43 chances.
As for Ipswich, captain Morsy has 26 league starts to his name, recording the most touches and ball-carries amongst his teammates during that time.
Morsy has made 28 interceptions and 132 recoveries, although an aerial-duel success rate of just 38.9% lets him down in midfield.
The Egyptian has further contributed only one goal and one assist for the third-lowest scorers in the league.
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Dan Burn vs Liam Delap
Burn has enjoyed a consistent season at the back, keeping 11 clean sheets in 32 appearances.
Newcastle’s giant defender has won 168 duels, made 87 recoveries, and won 67% of his aerial duels.
He has the most touches, passes, and clearances amongst the Newcastle squad but is yet to score a league goal this season despite 19 attempts.
On the other hand, Delap’s name will headline many papers over the summer, with his £30 million relegation release clause on the brink of activation.
He has 12 league goals after joining from Man City, eight more than his closest teammate.
Capped at England under-21 level, Delap is one of few Ipswich players who’ve shown Premier League quality and is surely destined for a move to an established outfit.
The forward has completed 37 dribbles, won 143 duels, and created 20 chances.
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Jacob Murphy vs Conor Townsend
Newcastle’s unsung hero Murphy has recorded eight goals and 11 assists across the season, his best output since joining in 2017.
A crossing accuracy of 18.3% reads very poorly, but his assists tally is five clear of any other Newcastle player.
His duel-winning heavily lets him down, though, with success rates of 39.9% and 21.1% for duels and aerial duels, respectively.
Murphy has respectable defensive numbers, with 86 recoveries, 11 interceptions, and a 68.25% tackle-winning rate.
Ipswich’s first-choice left-back Leif Davies is suspended for Saturday’s match, a gutting reality for the Newcastle-born full-back unable to play at his boyhood club’s stadium.
His natural replacement is Townsend, who only has three league starts and six appearances.
The 32-year-old joined last August from West Brom and grabbed an assist in Ipswich’s last league win away at Bournemouth.
The full-back has won 72.7% of his tackles and 65.6% of his duels, although these figures should be taken with a pinch of salt considering his limited minutes.
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Eddie Howe vs Kieran McKenna
Howe’s presence on the touchline is unlikely after the gaffer was diagnosed with pneumonia, with Jason Tindall expected to take charge of his fourth match.
Newcastle have won their last four home games for a record of 10 wins in 16 at St James’ Park this season.
In contrast, Ipswich have won only three matches on the road, the third-worst away record.
Only Manchester City can better Newcastle’s 35 home goals, with nine coming in their last two for the men in black and white.
In the end, it is a must-win game in the eyes of both managers as Newcastle look up the table and anything but a win for Ipswich will confirm their relegation.
Summary
Newcastle need to bounce back from their 4-1 defeat to Champions League rivals Aston Villa, especially with a top-five finish still theirs to lose.
The Toon Army have won all five matches against the newly promoted teams so far, with an aggregate score of 15-1, which is a worrying trend for the visitors to deal with.
Given the situations for both clubs, I see nothing else but a comfortable home win.
Score prediction: Newcastle United 4-0 Ipswich Town
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