'A great fixture': Paul Merson believes Saturday's game could be the catalyst for Newcastle United's season
Newcastle United return to Premier League action on Saturday in a good old-fashioned 3 pm non-televised kick-off as Wolverhampton Wanderers visit St James' Park.
Both sides come into this game without a win on the board yet this season, although Newcastle have two draws, which have given them two more points than their opponents, who sit rooted to the bottom of the league table.
Newcastle have played well in two of their three games, and likely did enough, performance-wise, to win all three matches, but a lack of a goalscorer has drastically held back Eddie Howe's side.
Fortunately, Newcastle now have two new centre-forwards to call upon to hopefully banish those demons on Saturday, which could go a long way to explaining Paul Merson's confidence in the Magpies.
Paul Merson feels it will be a big win for Newcastle on Saturday
Merson has predicted the score for his weekly spot in Sportskeeda, and the former Arsenal man can't see anything but a Newcastle win.
"I can't see anything but a Newcastle win here. Wolves are really struggling at the moment. I know Newcastle haven't been ripping it up either, but this is a great fixture for them to get back on track.
"Eddie Howe has to start with Nick Woltemade, if not both him and Yoane Wissa together. Wissa hasn't played a lot of football recently, so I'm not sure if he goes straight into the starting eleven. But if you're those two forwards, there is no better opportunity to get off the mark than facing Wolves at home!
"I always go with the logic that if the best team in the league wants to sign you, then you're a good player. Bayern Munich wanted Woltemade, so he must know how to play! If him and Wissa can together get the goals scored by Isak last season, it's a good transfer window for Newcastle in my opinion.
"Newcastle have played better than what their points tally suggests so far this season. I expect them to win.
"Prediction: Newcastle United 3-0 Wolves"
With a recognised striker on the pitch, our wide men will feel more relaxed to play their usual game
We'd happily take a nice, comfortable 3-0 win, particularly one which sees at least one of our new forwards get their name on the score sheet.
The likes of Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes may feel that the pressure is off them to get the goals now, which could open them up to play more of their natural game, which will, in turn, lead to goals, we're sure.
You know we're not one to stick our necks out before a game, normally, but this has home win written all over it.
