Leeds vs Newcastle Predictions

• Newcastle have won four of their last five league games
• Both teams have scored in each of Leeds’ last ten league matches
• Newcastle have kept only one clean sheet in 14 league matches

Mighty Magpies can heap the pressure on Leeds

Sam Allardyce has three games left to save Leeds from Premier League relegation, but their situation may be looking even more bleak following a visit from third-placed Newcastle.

Allardyce’s first game in charge saw an improved display from Leeds, who defended more resolutely and looked better organised in last Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Manchester City.

However, it still means they have taken only one point from their last six league matches and they are now two points adrift of safety after last weekend which saw Everton record a shock 5-1 win at Brighton and Nottingham Forest edge out Southampton in a 4-3 thriller at the City Ground.

Leeds need wins and that should ensure they adopt more positive tactics against Newcastle, who will also be looking for a response after a 2-0 defeat at home to Arsenal last Sunday left them with work still to do to lock down a top-four berth.

So the circumstances of both teams could contribute to an entertaining affair, although the Magpies are still fancied to prevail.

Both teams have scored in each of Leeds’ last ten league matches and they have conceded at least twice in eight of those outings.

With club captain Liam Cooper injured against City, Allardyce was forced to field a makeshift defence which featured full-backs Rasmus Kristensen and Max Wober at the heart of it.

Newcastle’s attacking talents Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak, who have 25 goals between them this season, are likely to exploit any of those vulnerabilities.

That said, defensive flaws have creeped into Newcastle’s game of late and they have managed only one clean sheet in their last 14 Premier League games, which should fill Leeds with some hope.

Eddie Howe’s side have won four of their last five Premier League games but they conceded in each of those victories against Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Brentford and Everton.

So there is every chance this could turn into a slugfest but Newcastle have the greater attacking quality and should punish a Leeds side that boast the worst defence in the Premier League with 69 goals conceded in 35 outings.

Two of Leeds’ last three league defeats have ended 2-1 and they look like being more competitive in their final matches with Allardcye at the helm, so correct-score punters should opt for Newcastle to triumph by that scoreline.