Newcastle head to Molineux to face Wolves today, as they look for their first Premier League victory at the seventh time of asking.
The Magpies came close last week and really should have beaten Watford. However, poor finishing cost them and handed the Hornets a point.
Steve Bruce has got another big away game this weekend, and it’ll be another game where he’ll believe his side have a chance of victory.
Wolves have had a difficult start to the season themselves, but are sitting much more comfortably with six points on the board.
So who will Bruce pick to start at Molineux?
Matt Ritchie continues in defence
Newcastle switched to a back four last week, with Matt Ritchie being forced to play in an unfamiliar role.
He’s spent a lot of time playing as a wing-back, but at Watford he was an out-and-out left-back.
To his credit, he performed well after picking up an early booking, especially up against the in-form Ismaila Sarr.
Ritchie’s performance should keep him in the starting XI, meaning Jamal Lewis misses out once again. The £15million man is really struggling for opportunities at Newcastle right now.
Can Sean Longstaff continue his good form?
Sean Longstaff was Newcastle’s best player last week, scoring our only goal at Vicarage Road. He could have had more, missing an open goal and going close from long range.
It was a wonderful performance from Longstaff, who is enjoying a great run in the starting XI. It finally looks like he is getting back to his best after after a tough couple of years at St James’ Park.
He’ll be in midfield alongside Isaac Hayden and Joe Willock, who Bruce claims is fit once again after his surprise inclusion last week.
Pressure on the front three
With Callum Wilson edging closer to a return, there is pressure on the front three to perform at Molineux.
One of them will surely make way when Wilson is fit, and the game against Wolves could be their last chance to prove why it shouldn’t be them.
Joelinton is enjoying a purple patch on the left wing, while Allan Saint-Maximin is still proving to be a danger as a lone striker.
Between the three of them, Miguel Almiron is arguably under the most pressure to deliver.
Predicted XI vs Wolves: Darlow; Manquillo, Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie; Hayden, Longstaff, Willock; Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton.
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