The Premier League clash at St. James' Park on January 7, 2026, is set to be a defining moment for both Newcastle United and Leeds United, each mired in the depths of the table and battling desperately to escape the clutches of relegation. With Newcastle sitting in 13th place with 26 points from 19 games, their confidence was buoyed by a convincing 3-1 victory over Burnley last week. Meanwhile, Leeds are clinging precariously to survival, currently in 16th place with only 21 points from the same number of matches-one victory in five games shows they're fighting an uphill battle.
Both teams come into this encounter with recent form that paints a stark picture: while Newcastle found some rhythm with a strong performance against Burnley-where they dominated shots on target (7 to Burnley's 4) and maintained a healthy possession rate of 47%-Leeds have struggled to find consistency. Their most recent outing saw them hold Liverpool to a goalless draw, but this result comes after they surrendered leads against Sunderland and Brentford. The contrast is clear: Newcastle is starting to show sparks of form under pressure, while Leeds continues to wobble.
Predicted Lineups: For Newcastle: GK: Nick Pope, DEF: Dan Burn, Malick Thiaw, Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall; MID: Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton; FWD: Anthony Gordon, Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade.
For Leeds: GK: Lucas Perri; DEF: Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon; MID: Gabriel Gudmundsson, Ethan Ampadu, Brenden Aaronson; FWD: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor.
The statistical battleground tells an interesting story. Over their last five matches combined-Newcastle's attack has shown signs of resurgence with three goals against Burnley and another two against Chelsea. In contrast, Leeds managed only four goals across those same fixtures (excluding their big win against Crystal Palace). The upcoming match will likely hinge on whether Newcastle can leverage its growing offensive momentum while Leeds must find a way to tighten up defensively if they hope to stymie Newcastle's rising stars.
Let's dive deeper into individual performances shaping this match-up: for Newcastle, watch for Bruno Guimarães, whose creative playmaking has already contributed three goals and three assists this season-a player poised to unlock defenses when given space. His ability to pass accurately (43%) can help turn defensive phases into immediate attacking threats. On the other hand, Leeds' lifeline may well rest upon the shoulders of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who remains their most potent threat despite only netting one goal in his last ten appearances; he generated nine shots on target but lacked support from his teammates around him.
While Newcastle enjoyed better offensive stats lately-including an average of 1.44 expected goals per match compared to Leeds' 1.51 expected goals-the key will be capitalizing on those chances when it counts. Recent head-to-head clashes have yielded mixed results; however-with their previous fixture ending in a stalemate-it suggests both teams know how crucial this battle for points will be amidst impending relegation fears.
Moreover, when breaking down defensive efforts across these past matches: Newcastle has consistently outperformed Leeds regarding total shots allowed (averaging around 11 per game compared to Leeds' 16) which speaks volumes about how vulnerable Jesse Marsch's side has been at times when defending counter-attacks or setting up for pressing opportunities that may lead elsewhere.
That said-the stage is set! Expect fireworks as both sides seek not just three points but also a psychological edge heading into the second half of the season. Will we see another explosive showing from players like Yoane Wissa or will Leeds rely heavily on grit and determination led by defensive organization?
Here's where my take lands-I believe the home advantage coupled with newfound momentum will propel Newcastle United towards victory here at St. James' Park! A predicted scoreline reflects their rising confidence matched against vulnerabilities in Leeds' defense: expect a 2-1 win for Newcastle as they charge towards pulling clear from relegation danger-and potentially reigniting hopes for more successful runs throughout February!
So mark your calendars-the energy within those stands will undoubtedly reflect hope reverberating through these teams who stand on opposite ends of necessity yet share collective aspirations tied deeply into footballing legacies forged over decades!