Aiming to finish a fine year in suitable style, Newcastle United put their unbeaten home record on the line again as they welcome Leeds United to St James' Park on Saturday.
After wins in both league and cup marked their return to competitive action over the past week, the Magpies now host a side struggling just outside the Premier League's drop zone following a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City.
Match preview
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Six straight league wins have sent Newcastle into the rarefied air of the top flight's top three at Christmas, and Eddie Howe's men appear to be marching their way into contention for a Champions League place next season - if not the Premier League title race.
The Magpies simply swept aside Leicester City in their first league outing since the World Cup, and a superb opening half-hour at the King Power Stadium took them into a three-goal lead which they would not relinquish. Chris Wood's early penalty set them on their way, before Miguel Almiron's latest strike and a Joelinton goal effectively sealed the deal before half time.
Unbeaten in all competitions since losing at Anfield in August - their only defeat of the season so far - Newcastle now seek to sign off a brilliant year with a win; roared on by supporters who are beginning to believe anything is possible under the steady hand of Howe.
Before Leeds visit St James' on New Year's Eve, only Cambridge United and Liverpool have toppled the Toon at home in 2022, a run of results which included booking a place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals last week with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
Set to meet Leicester again in the last eight of that competition, they have totally turned things around this year, and are just two points behind reigning champions Manchester City; also sitting clear of both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
When they last faced Leeds in the Premier League, back in January, Newcastle were second-bottom and had won once in 20 games. How things have changed since.
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Then leading their Geordie counterparts by 10 points in the table, Leeds have managed to post less than half Newcastle's tally of 70 points in the intervening period.
Jesse Marsch's men also arrive in the North East with the division's second-worst away record, having won just once on the road this term - and they have shipped goals at a rate of more than two per game on their travels.
Of course, they did defeat Liverpool at Anfield shortly before the World Cup break, but have followed that last-gasp success with three losses from four competitive matches following a 3-1 reverse at home to Manchester City in midweek.
Leeds-born Erling Haaland became the fastest player to reach 20 Premier League goals as the champions eventually overcame a stubborn side deployed by Marsch to deny their visitors time and space at Elland Road. Ultimately, Pascal Struijk's headed goal from a corner proved just a minor consolation.
Conceding 10 times in their last three league games is surely a source of concern, as they now encounter another team in full flight near the top of the table - and Newcastle have also given away just five goals at home this season.
If results elsewhere do not go their way, the Whites could even slip into the relegation zone heading into the new year, so even avoiding defeat may be seen as a success on Saturday.
Team News
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Likely to prioritise continuity following his team's fine performance on Boxing Day, Eddie Howe may not make many changes this weekend, though star striker Callum Wilson could be fit enough to return.
The England international missed Newcastle's win over Leicester through illness but is set to be included against Leeds, which would potentially see Chris Wood demoted to the bench. Fellow forward Alexander Isak remains on the road to recovery from a thigh injury and is not expected back until mid-January.
Meanwhile, Jonjo Shelvey recently sustained a calf injury that will keep him sidelined for several weeks and Paul Dummett's back problem prevents his return to full training. Matt Ritchie made a brief appearance at the King Power Stadium after missing most of the season to date, so should be available.
After forward pair Jack Harrison and Crysencio Summerville were left on the Leeds bench against Manchester City due to fitness concerns, both are considered in contention for a start on Saturday.
Tyler Adams returns from suspension to bolster the visitors' midfield, so Sam Greenwood could drop out of the first XI. Patrick Bamford remains out of action following his groin injury, Luis Sinisterra (foot) is unavailable too, while Mateusz Klich is mulling over a move to MLS club DC United.
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; S. Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Almiron, Wilson, Joelinton
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Ayling, Cooper, Koch, Struijk; Adams, Forshaw; Gnonto, Aaronson, Summerville; Rodrigo
We say: Newcastle United 2-0 Leeds United
Though stranger things have happened, the combination of Newcastle's stingy defence and a leaky Leeds back line should surely result in a 10th top-flight win for the Toon. Riding the crest of a wave following results either side of the World Cup break, Eddie Howe's men can score at least twice to secure three more points on the final day of a transformative year.
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