- Newcastle are eighth in the Premier League going into Boxing Day
- Aston Villa are two points ahead in sixth
- Recommended Bet: Alexander Isak anytime goalscorer

Two teams in the hunt for a top-four finish clash at St James’ Park on Boxing Day, when Newcastle host Aston Villa.

Newcastle’s 4-0 drubbing of Ipswich last weekend was their third straight win in all competitions, having reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup last week.

Villa bounced back from a 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest to beat Manchester City by the same scoreline, in what was their fourth victory from the last five games.

Team news 

Newcastle will be without the injured Nick Pope, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth.

Sven Botman is close to recovery after playing for the Magpies’ reserve team against Chelsea, but is not yet ready for this fixture.

Joelinton, who was suspended for the win at Ipswich, will be assessed due to facial injuries.

Unai Emery has an almost fully fit squad to choose from, with only Jacob Ramsey currently injured.

The stats

Newcastle are unbeaten in their last three games at St James’ Park, winning two, drawing one and scoring 10 goals in the process. 

Villa have lost their last four away games in the league, going down at Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.

Alexander Isak’s hat-trick for Newcastle in the 4-0 win over Ipswich means that the Swede has scored in each of his last four top-flight appearances. 

Villa striker Jhon Duran found the net in the 2-1 win over City, which means that he also has scored in each of his last four games across all competitions. 

Prediction

Newcastle have hit a run of winning form of late, but Villa represent a tougher challenge than the teams that they have defeated. 

The Magpies’ three recent victories have come against relegation-threatened Leicester and Ipswich in the Premier League, along with a home win against Brentford in the Carabao Cup.

Villa come into this one off the back of a confidence-boosting display against City, yet their away form is a worry and this is a difficult test for them also. 

These sides seem well-matched, with both boasting of an in-form forward, with Villa’s Duran doing well enough to have replaced Ollie Watkins in Emery’s starting lineup. 

Yet as well as Duran is doing, he has not matched Isak’s recent achievements, with the striker scoring six times in his last four league games.

Back Alexander Isak to score anytime against Aston Villa at 21/20 on LiveScore Bet

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