Wolves face Newcastle in the Championship on Saturday, having lost in midweek to Barnsley.
After making a big impression since arriving at Wolves, Walter Zenga crashing back down to earth on Tuesday when his side were thrashed by surprise package Barnsley.
Their next game isn’t against a surprise package, more like the favourites to win the title and probably the most in-form side in the division. Having hit QPR for six on Tuesday, Newcastle return to St James’ Park where they will entertain Zenga’s Wolves side.
Rafael Benitez’s side have won five games on the spin and are a point off top spot, while Wolves have dropped to 16th as they prepare to head to Tyneside.
Although they will go into the game as outsiders, here are three reasons why Zenga’s men can claim all three points.
Zenga will expect a reaction from his players
The 4-0 home defeat to Barnsley was an embarrassing one, and the Italian manager let his feelings be known after the game about how angry he was with his players.
The Wolves players did have a scheduled day off on Wednesday after their match with Barnsley, but those plans were scrapped and the squad was brought in on their day off to prepare for the trip to Newcastle.
The pressure is on the Wolves players, and Zenga will be expecting a big reaction from his team. A win at St James’ Park would be the biggest reaction he could get from his side.
There are still mistakes in the Newcastle defence
Benitez’s side haven’t conceded a goal since Gareth McCleary put a penalty past Matz Sels in Newcastle’s 4-1 win over Reading. Since then, the Magpies’ defence have shut out Bristol City, Brighton, Derby and QPR.
Despite their impressive defensive record, there are still holes in the Newcastle back line that can be exploited. Jamaal Lascelles started the season in poor form, while there is always a mistake in new signing Ciaran Clark, as he showed on his debut when his foul gave Reading a penalty. Vurnon Anita is not a natural right back and Paul Dummett can be rash at times if put under pressure.
There is also a chance that new boys DeAndre Yedlin and Achraf Lazaar could make their first starts in black and white, and they could be put under pressure early on if they are nervous making their St James’ Park bow.
History is on their side
If history is anything to go by, then Wolves have the edge in this fixture.
Since 1898, the two clubs have played against each other 91 times in league and cup, with Wolves coming out on top more often than the Magpies. Wanderers have won 38 times, with Newcastle only recording 30 victories, while there have been 23 draws.
Zenga would love it if history can repeat itself and Wolves record their 39th victory over Newcastle, although they haven’t got the better of the Geordies since an FA Cup tie in 2003.
The form book says Newcastle are the favourites, but the history book suggests otherwise.
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