St James’ Park, August 25
The Alexander Isak derby arrives without Isak. Yet the absence of Newcastle’s talisman only raises the tension: the Magpies sharpen their blades, while Liverpool’s new era under Arne Slot seeks validation. Expect fire, noise, and numbers that cut deeper than tackles.
Defeat vs Aston Villa (1–2) hides the truth: Newcastle created 2.1 xG, but execution betrayed them.
Without Isak, Howe must turn to Gordon, Barnes, and Elanga to carry the fight.
The Toon Army’s weapon: St James’ Park, where pressure breaks even giants.
Strength: Intensity and midfield duels.
Weakness: Finishing edge without their Swedish spear.
6-goal thriller vs Bournemouth (4–2) in their opener: ruthless up front, fragile at the back.
Hugo Ekitike, already scoring in the Community Shield and league debut, feels like prophecy fulfilled.
20 goals in the last 5 H2H vs Newcastle — this fixture breeds chaos.
Strength: Relentless attacking variety — Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike. Weakness: Structural instability in defence.
Newcastle: press, intensity, emotional charge of the crowd.
Liverpool: fluid attacking rotations but defensive cracks.
Expect a duel of rhythm vs incision, with goals forged in transition moments.
Both teams scored in 4 of the last 5 H2H.
Since 2019: only 4/14 meetings finished without both teams scoring.
11 yellow cards in their three meetings last season.
2 of the last 4 clashes produced 7+ cards.
The numbers whisper: goals and cards.
Newcastle 1–2 Liverpool
Chaos guaranteed. Liverpool edge the storm, but the Magpies will scar them.
Liverpool Win + BTTS — 3.40
Over 4.5 Cards — 1.77
Hugo Ekitike Anytime Scorer — 2.10 (value pick)
Newcastle: prove resilience without Isak, break Liverpool’s aura.
Liverpool: silence doubts and show that attack > defence is not just spectacle but strategy.
This is not just football. This is attrition cloaked as spectacle — where cards will fly, goals will rain, and Hugo Ekitike may announce himself as the Premier League’s new tormentor.
