Wolves v Newcastle preview

Hughton: Wolves test

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 1-1

One to Watch: Andy Carroll

Bet on Saturday's match

MATCH FACTS
The last two meetings between the sides in 2003/04 both ended in 1-1 draws. It's 11/2 for a 1-1 draw. Bet now

Wolves have won four of their last five matches at home to United in all competitions. Wolves are 7/5 to win. Bet now

Andy Carroll has scored five goals in his last five league appearances. Andy Carroll is 11/2 to score first. Bet now

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Newcastle will be targeting their second successive Premier League victory when they travel to Wolves this weekend.

Chris Hughton's side bounced back from the opening defeat to Manchester United in style as they hit Aston Villa for six at St James' Park last Sunday.

Wolves, meanwhile, showed the battling qualities that kept them in the division last season as they claimed a 1-1 draw at Everton to keep the Midlanders' unbeaten start to the season intact following their victory over Stoke.

Mick McCarthy's side are tough to beat, having lost just once in their last seven league games and the former Republic of Ireland boss will be telling his players this game is a must-win against recently promoted opposition.

Both sides will turn to their big guns after resting the majority of their key players during their midweek Carling Cup endeavours against League Two opposition.

Hughton and McCarthy elected to field under-strength teams and their tactics nearly backfired as the Magpies edged past Accrington Stanley 3-2 while Wolves were forced into extra time against Southend before prevailing 2-1.

Team news

Hughton rested the entire starting XI from the 6-0 demolition of Villa but is likely to restore them all for the game at Molineux.

Xisco (groin) and Danny Guthrie (knee) will miss out and Sol Campbell is still working his way towards match fitness, while Danny Simpson, Leon Best (both ankle) and Dan Gosling (knee) remain on the sidelines.

The future of transfer listed defender Steven Taylor remains up in air but a shoulder injury is keeping him out of the fray.

Wolves could introduce Michael Mancienne into the starting XI after the Chelsea utility man joined the club on loan for the third time.

Defenders Steven Mouyokolo (hamstring) and Jelle Van Damme (ankle) are still nursing injuries but Dave Edwards returned from a groin complaint to play midweek and could be in contention for the Newcastle game.

Striker Steven Fletcher has missed Wolves' last two outings with a foot problem and remains doubtful, so Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake are likely to start in attack.

Long-serving goalkeeper Matt Murray was forced to retire earlier this week after failing to recover from a ruptured patella tendon but Wolves are well stocked between the sticks with Marcus Hahnemann and Wayne Hennessey available.

Possible starting XIs

Wolves: Hahnemann, Foley, Craddock, Berra, Ward, Jarvis, Jones, Henry, Edwards, Ebanks-Blake, Doyle.

Newcastle: Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Enrique, Gutierrez, Barton, Smith, Routledge, Nolan, Carroll.