Two Championship promotion hopefuls meet at St James’ Park in an intriguing Boxing Day match.
They say a year is a long time in football, and if you had told any Newcastle fan on Boxing Day 2015 that Rafael Benitez would be their manager for the following year’s festive fixtures they would most likely have laughed it off.
Fast forward 12 months, however, and the Spaniard is well on the way to helping the Magpies return to the top flight at the first time of asking. Two hard fought away wins at Wigan and Burton last week kept them top ahead of Brighton and, more crucially, nine points clear of third place.
Sheffield Wednesday occupy a play-off spot going into Boxing Day, though other results may end up pushing them out of one before the evening kick-off in the north east. Carlos Carvalhal’s side needed a late penalty to see off neighbours Rotherham last time out, but confidence is high that the Owls can repeat last season’s top six finish.
Newcastle’s Mohamed Diame celebrates
The Key Battle – Mo Diame vs Sam Hutchinson
The Senegalese midfielder has taken a while to settle in at Newcastle since arriving from Hull in the summer, but goals in both last week’s away wins were evidence that Diame is beginning to find his feet.
Hutchinson is a fans favourite among the Wednesday faithful and will be doing his best to prevent Diame wreaking havoc in the space between the Owls midfield and back four.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Sam Hutchinson scores their second goal against Barnsley
Last Meeting:
The Owls won at St James’ Park last season in the most recent meeting between these two sides, with Lewis McGugan scoring a late winner to help Wednesday progress in the League Cup.
The most recent league clash between the Magpies and the Owls was also a Boxing Day affair, which ended with the points shared after a 2-2 draw at Hillsborough.
Newcastle United’s Vurnon Anita in action with Sheffield Wednesday’s Jeremy Helan during the Owls’ 1-0 win last season
Recent form – most recent last:
Newcastle – WLLWWW
Sheffield Wednesday – DWWLWW
Who’s the ref?
Paul Tierney will be in charge for the Christmas cracker in the north-east.
The official oversaw Newcastle’s 2-0 win at Barnsley in October, one of 15 matches he has taken control of so far this season.
Referee Paul Tierney (L)
What time is kick off?
The match starts at 7.45pm on Boxing Day.
Where can I watch it?
Newcastle’s clash with Sheffield Wednesday is live on Sky Sports 1, with build-up getting underway at 7.30pm.
Odds
Newcastle – 4/6
Draw – 13/5
Sheffield Wednesday – 9/2
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