Newcastle United vs Leicester City Prediction: Big value on away performance

Newcastle United return to action on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City to St James’ Park for a 15:00 kick off. Eddie Howe saw his side lose 4-2 to Brentford last time out and will be hoping for a response, while Leicester have seen an upturn in form under their new boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, picking up four points from his two matches in charge. 

Below you can find my Newcastle United vs Leicester City prediction featuring team news and betting tips. 

Team News

Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson has had another setback this week as he picked up another hamstring issue that is set to rule him out for up to two months. He made just three appearances off the bench since returning from his last injury, but is now set for another stint on the sidelines. 

‘Frustrating as it is for everyone out there waiting for my return & to be able to help the team, these shortcomings also upset & frustrate me more than anybody else,’ he posted on Instagram. ‘I will, and I am doing everything in my power to rediscover the best version of myself & finally get off this emotional rollercoaster, which I’m hoping 2025 will bring.’

Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are definitely ruled out through injury, while Kieran Trippier could start having recovered from his illness to come off the bench against Brentford.

Perhaps the most painful injury news of all, however, is that goalkeeper Nick Pope could be sidelined for the rest of the calendar year after hurting his knee while saving a shot against Brentford last weekend. Martin Dubravka, who deputised 23 times for Pope in the Premier League last season, is set to start on Saturday in the number 22's absence.

Football Odds

For Leicester, they will welcome back Facundo Buonanotte after he was unable to face his parent club Brighton last time out. He should return in the number 10 spot, with Bilal El Khannouss set to move back out wide in place of Jordan Ayew. 

After another goal, veteran striker Jamie Vardy will lead the line once again, while Wifred Ndidi wil have to find a new partner in midfield as Boubakary Soumare picked up his fifth yellow of the season and is therefore suspended. Harry Winks could be that man after recovering from his slight issue. 

Van Nistelrooy was quick to remove centre-back Wout Faes from the starting XI after a 13-month run in the side, so Jannik Vestergaard and Conor Coady are set to continue their new-found partnership at the back.

Newcastle United vs Leicester City Odds

Newcastle are priced at 3/10 to win this game giving them an implied win probability of 77%, but they have only won three of their seven league matches on  home soil so far. Leicester can be backed at 9/1 to win only their second away game of the season, while a draw is 5/1.

Over 2.5 goals is 4/9 having come in during seven of Newcastle’s 15 matches to date, while BTTS is 4/5. Magpies forward Alexander Isak is the favourite to score first at 3/1 having scored two goals in his last two league outings. 

Both teams to score @ 4/5 

Leicester are top of the charts in the Premier League for BTTS this season, having seen both teams find the net in 13 of their 15 matches so far. That means in 87 per cent of Leicester games, there have been goals at both ends, which is a higher total than any other English top-flight side has posted this term. 

I also believe that Van Nistelrooy’s arrival has helped them show more attacking threat, with the 2-2 against Brighton proof of that, so they won’t be frightened of taking Newcastle on this Saturday. I also think Newcastle’s defensive vulnerabilities have been clear for all to see in recent weeks. They conceded four at Brentford, three against Liverpool and two at home to West Ham, meaning they haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last five outings. With six total goals in each of their last two fixtures, I’m expecting another entertaining affair in the north-east.  

Double Chance: Draw or Leicester @ 9/5

I don’t usually criticise those lovely traders at Betfred, and I am aware of how these prices are generated - but Leicester are vastly overpriced here, and it means we can take full advantage. 9/1 for them to win this game is seriously tempting given the improvement we have seen under Van Nistelrooy, and given Vardy’s ability to strike on the break, they could cause the home side problems. 

More importantly, Newcastle are not worth backing at all at 3/10 given they are conceding goals for fun right now and their defence has the same rigidity as a creme brulee. I’m jumping at the chance to back Leicester in this one, but will play things safe and also cover the draw with the Double Chance market. The Foxes have shown enough of late to make them a sensible selection on Saturday afternoon. 

Offers

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