Life under new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has got off to a brilliant start for Leicester City.
Leicester secured a 3-1 win over West Ham in his opening game before salvaging a late point against Brighton after going 2-0 down.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men now travel to Newcastle as they aim to make it three games unbeaten, although the Dutchman will be without two of his key midfielders.
Wilfred Ndidi is sidelined for a couple of weeks, and Boubakary Soumare is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at Brighton.
Ahead of the showdown at St James Park, Alan Shearer has delivered a scathing assessment of Newcastle, comparing their current form to their performances under the Mike Ashley ownership.
With the Magpies in 12th and out of sorts, Paul Merson has issued his prediction for the clash.
Paul Merson issues his Newcastle vs Leicester City prediction
Leicester look like a different team under van Nistelrooy compared to Steve Cooper, as seen last time out when they clawed back a two-goal deficit to secure a point.
On the other hand, Newcastle are relentlessly inconsistent, typified by them losing 4-2 against Brentford after securing a brilliant 3-3 draw at home to Liverpool.
That being said, when previewing the game for Sportskeeda, Merson has predicted Newcastle to win 3-1 at St James Park.
“Leicester City got themselves a phenomenal result during the late comeback draw against Brighton last time out, but I don’t see Newcastle not winning this game,” Merson wrote.
“It’s true that Leicester have four points in two games under Ruud van Nistelrooy and that’s a good start. However, it would be naive to think that they will get a result away from home at Newcastle.
“I’m a firm believer of the fact that draws don’t help anybody in football. If you draw two games, it’s two points. If you lose one and win the next, it’s more points. Leicester must try to get more points, that’s the only way they can stay up in this division.
“This game presents them with an excellent opportunity to climb up the table and anything less than a win would be hugely disappointing.”
- READ MORE: Ruud van Nistelrooy issues honest response when asked about Leicester’s transfer plans this January
Chris Sutton’s Newcastle vs Leicester City prediction
As well as Merson, Chris Sutton has issued his prediction for the Newcastle vs Leicester clash.
And unfortunately for Foxes fans, the former Blackburn Rovers striker largely agrees with Merson.
Sutton slammed Leicester for how they treated Cooper, although most supporters would disagree, and he also predicted Newcastle to secure a ‘straightforward’ 3-0 win.
Per BBC Sport, Sutton wrote: “I did not like the way Leicester treated Steve Cooper but they have definitely had a bounce since appointing Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has made the start he desired.
“It is fair to say that Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has not had the season he wanted so far, but any team who can beat Arsenal and draw with Liverpool must have something about them.
“Howe’s side have been consistently inconsistent, but they are not far off becoming the team he wants them to be.
“I am expecting them to click here, and I actually think this will be quite straightforward for them.”