Can Newcastle create a bit of relegation breathing room with a win a Wolves on Monday night?

Though hardly a complete turnaround, 2019 has showed signs that the Toon might be able to avoid the drop. While losses to Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham are all somewhat par or the course, a 3-0 victory at Cardiff was exactly the kind of game Newcastle need to be winning if they want to remain in the Premier League.

Even better was that shock triumph against Manchester City, one that saw Rafa Benitez’s lads overcome the worst start imaginable – a 1st minute goal from Sergio Aguero – to come out the other side with all 3 points. Their 4th round FA Cup exit at the end of January, meanwhile, was a disappointment, but perhaps necessary given their precarious position in the league.

Now in 17th, but with a game in hand, a positive result at Molineux would likely lift them into 14th place, and put 3 points between them and the relegation zone.

As for Wolves, they’re in the running to be the surprise of the season. Sat in 7th, the Championship champs might be a potentially unbridgeable 12 points off of 6th place Chelsea, but a bit of luck in the FA Cup – either by winning it themselves or, more likely, hoping one of the top 6 take the honours at Wembley – could see them nab a spot in the Europa League.

After losing their first 2 league games of the New Year – a 2-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace, and an expected 3-0 flop at Man City – they’ve won 3 on the trot, beating Leicester, West Ham and Everton. Not only that, they knocked out Liverpool in the FA Cup 3rd round, before (narrowly) getting past Shrewsbury thanks to 4th round replay.

With 11 goals in all competitions, Raul Jimenez has been the Wanderers’ focus up front, and sits at a Super Mega PGM of 30-36. For the Toon, Jose Salomon Rondon is at 16-20, following by Joselu at 10-14.

Though the visitors have the capacity to surprise – just ask City – the hosts have aced their promotion, and head into Monday’s fixture at a Wolves/Newcastle Goal Supremacy spread of 0.6-0.8, alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.25-2.45.