Matchday 18 of the 2024/25 Premier League sees Newcastle United host Aston Villa on Thursday evening at St. James’ Park. Both teams have enjoyed strong campaigns and will aim to end the first half of the season on a high note.
Newcastle sit eighth with 26 points from 17 matches, while Villa are sixth with 28 points. Given their attacking form, this clash promises a high-scoring encounter with goals from both sides. Let’s preview the match before sharing our full prediction.
Newcastle-Aston Villa Head-to-Head Analysis
| General Details | Newcastle Lineup (Predicted) | Aston Villa Lineup (Predicted) |
|---|---|---|
| Date: 26/12/2024 Time: 17:30 Stadium: St James’ Park Where to watch: SuperSport 204 | Martin Dubravka Tino Livramento Fabian Schar Dan Burn Lewis Hall Sandro Tonali Bruno Guimaraes Joe Willock Jacob Murphy Alexander Isak Anthony Gordon | Emiliano Martinez Matty Cash Ezri Konsa Pau Torres Lucas Digne Boubacar Kamara Amadou Onana John McGinn Youri Tielemans Jaden Philogene Rogers Jhon Durán |
Historic Performances
Let’s start by exploring the outcome of their previous clashes to determine the likely result of their upcoming matchup.
Recent Encounters
In their last five encounters across all competitions, Newcastle United have held the upper hand with three wins, one draw, and one victory for Aston Villa. This historical edge could offer Newcastle a psychological boost ahead of the clash.
Their most recent meeting ended in a commanding 3-1 away win for Newcastle, a result likely to linger in the minds of both teams as they gear up for this fixture.
Key Factors Influencing the Match
After reviewing their past few meetings, let’s examine both teams’ recent form and which players stand out. This will allow us to gain valuable insight into predicting their upcoming game.
Previous Match
Newcastle United have regained momentum after a four-game winless Premier League run, securing a dominant 4-0 victory over Leicester and an EFL Cup semi-final spot with a 3-1 win over Brentford. Sandro Tonali shone with a first-half brace in the cup success.
Currently 8th in the league standings, Eddie Howe’s team aims to avoid mid-table stagnation while targeting domestic silverware to end their 69-year drought. A commanding 4-0 away win at Ipswich highlighted their attacking strength. Notably, the Magpies also boast 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in their last five outings.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa will approach this clash in strong form, having won four of their last six matches. Their recent 2-1 victory over Manchester City demonstrated their ability to compete with top sides. Unai Emery’s team, sitting sixth in the table, has shown consistency and confidence, making them slight favorites.
With 4 wins and 1 loss in their last five games, Villa will be eager to maintain their momentum against Newcastle. Both teams bring solid form and ambition into what promises to be a closely fought contest at St. James’ Park.
Players
Joelinton has been instrumental for Newcastle since joining in 2019, contributing 20 goals in 172 appearances. His presence in midfield remains vital and could be decisive against Aston Villa. Alexander Isak, fresh off a hat-trick last weekend, will aim to continue his scoring form.
However, Newcastle will miss key players, including Callum Wilson, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, Nick Pope, and Sven Botman.
For Aston Villa, Jhon Duran has been a revelation, with 11 goals in just five starts. Dubbed a “super-sub,” he has consistently delivered crucial goals, including match-winners against Nottingham Forest. He also scored the match opener in their 2-1 victory over the reigning champion, Manchester City, last weekend. His impact has seen him favored over Ollie Watkins in attack.
Leon Bailey might return from a hamstring injury, and Tyrone Mings is fit after illness. However, Jacob Ramsey remains sidelined. Duran’s form could be pivotal as Villa look to continue their strong run against Newcastle.
Home Advantage
Newcastle boast a solid home record this season, with 4 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, showcasing their strength at St. James’ Park. In contrast, Aston Villa’s away form has been inconsistent, recording 3 wins, 1 draw, and 4 defeats. This inconsistency could play against them as they face a Newcastle side riding a wave of decent momentum.
Betting Tips
After looking into their current form in recent games played, let’s unleash our betting tips for Nigerian Bettors for the Newcastle vs. Aston Villa match:
Betting Odds
These are the latest figures from mainstream bookies on neither team’s chances to win, draw, or lose:
Newcastle to Win – 1.91 | Draw – 3.80 | Aston Villa to Win – 3.75
Bookmakers slightly favored Newcastle to triumph on home turf and saw Aston Villa as the underdogs. There’s almost a 26% chance the match will end in a stalemate. However, we expect the Magpies to edge out a narrow victory due to their home advantage and their dominance in previous meetings.
Final Thoughts on the Match
Both Newcastle United and Aston Villa enter the match in strong form, but Newcastle’s home advantage and favorable head-to-head record give them the edge. The Magpies’ solid displays at St. James’ Park and their dominant win in the last meeting position them as favorites. Remember to gamble responsibly and check our site regularly for more insights and betting tips like this.
Samuel Okunsolawo is an iGaming expert with over six years of experience in content writing. His passion for simplifying complex concepts makes his articles accessible and useful for beginners and experts alike. With a focus on sports betting trends and reliable betting sites, Samuel’s articles are an excellent resource for those seeking guidance and staying up to date in the world of iGaming.