Two teams with two different motivations clash at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Newcastle United will look to cement their place in the top five of the Premier League, thus ensuring qualification for next season’s Champions League. They go into this game in fifth place, two points above sixth-placed Chelsea.
Ipswich, meanwhile, are in last chance saloon as they look to avoid relegation. Nothing less than a win will do for the Tractor Boys and even then, they have to hope West Ham are defeated.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS IPSWICH PREVIEW
Aston Villa shocked the Magpies in their last game, inflicting Newcastle’s first Premier League defeat since late February. Ollie Watkins’ fortuitous goal opened the scoring inside 40 seconds. Fabian Schar equalised in the 18th minute, but three second-half strikes gave the Villans a 4-1 win.
Ipswich, meanwhile, were hammered 4-0 by Arsenal. This has virtually ended their stay in the top flight, but they can still mathematically survive. However, it will take them winning all of their last five games and West Ham losing all of their last five. Considering Ipswich have only won four Premier League games all season, this seems unlikely.
The head-to-head record is not on Ipswich’s side either. They have only won once in their last eight encounters against Newcastle in all competitions. Earlier this season, the Magpies struck four past them, Alexander Isak leading the way with a hat-trick.
The two sides didn’t play each other last season as Ipswich were in the Championship.
Jamaal Lascelles and Lewis Hall are both likely out for Newcastle with knee and foot injuries respectively. Fabian Schar and Sven Botman are both doubts. This could affect Newcastle’s defensive line, but they have adapted pretty well to any absentees this season.
Ipswich have a long injury list and are not helped by Leif Davis’ suspension either. Wes Burns, Omari Hutchinson, Arijanet Muric, Chiedozie Ogbene, Kalvin Phillips, Jaden Philogene and Chiedozie Ogbene are all on the treatment table.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS IPSWICH – PREDICTIONS
Newcastle United Win
Home advantage and form are both on Newcastle’s side. They will be desperate to bounce back following their mauling at the hands of Aston Villa. They are looking for their fifth straight Premier League win at St James’ Park and have scored at least four goals in their last two games at home. Meanwhile, Ipswich have not won at St James’ Park since a League Cup encounter back in 1984.
Draw
A draw would not be good enough for either side, so I feel this is the least likely outcome.
Ipswich Win
It’s do or die for Ipswich and they will go out all guns blazing. Whether this leaves gaps at the back for Newcastle to exploit remains to be seen. Certainly form – both this season and historical – is not on their side.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS IPSWICH – BETTING TIPS
Newcastle United Win
It’s very hard to make the case for Ipswich here. They haven’t won at St James’ Park in the league since 1978 and were hammered 4-0 by the Magpies at Portman Road back in December. They are desperate for points, but the truth is they are almost certainly relegated.
Newcastle, meanwhile, put four past Manchester United and five past Crystal Palace in their last two home games. Expect a similar score line here. They are also looking to net their fifth straight Premier League victory at St James’ Park.
Newcastle to Win to Nil
Ipswich have only scored 33 goals all season, the third-lowest in the Premier League. In five Premier League games this season, the Tractor Boys have had fewer than five shots. Despite Newcastle’s defensive weaknesses, they should be tight enough to deny Ipswich here.
Over 2.5 Goals
There has been an average of 3.14 goals scored in matches at St James’ Park this season. Newcastle have scored nine in their last two Premier League games there while this bet has registered in the last eight Premier League games at St James’ Park.
Alexander Isak to Score
Alexander Isak scored a hat-trick when the two sides met at Portman Road back in December. In 14 appearances against promoted sides, he has netted 15 times. He is the joint-second-highest scorer in the league with 21 and scored against Crystal Palace in Newcastle’s last game at St James’ Park. Indeed, Isak has scored five goals in his last four home appearances. I expect him to boost his record here.
HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26-04-2025 |
Newcastle United FC |
3 - 0 |
Ipswich Town FC |
| 21-12-2024 |
Ipswich Town FC |
0 - 4 |
Newcastle United FC |
- Newcastle United and Ipswich have played each other 52 times, with the Magpies winning 18. The Tractor Boys have also won 18 games while there have been 16 draws.
- Newcastle are looking to secure their first league double over Ipswich in 51 years.
- Newcastle have won their last four Premier League games at St James’ Park.
- Ipswich have only won one of the last eight, and two of the last 14, in all competitions.
- Ipswich have only beaten Newcastle once in the Premier League (in April 2001) and never at St James’ Park.
- Ipswich have lost six and drawn five of their last 11 visits to St James’ Park.
- You have to go back to November 1984 to find the last time Ipswich won at St James’ Park – 2-1 in a League Cup encounter. Their last league win on Tyneside was in February 1978.
Premier League Top Scorer
| # | Player | Team | Goals | Assists | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Mohamed Salah |
Liverpool FC | 28 | 17 | 36 |
| 2 |
Alexander Isak |
Newcastle United FC | 23 | 6 | 33 |
| 3 |
Erling Haaland |
Manchester City FC | 21 | 3 | 30 |
| 4 |
Chris Wood |
Nottingham Forest FC | 20 | 3 | 34 |
| 5 |
Bryan Mbeumo |
Brentford FC | 18 | 8 | 36 |
