Supercomputer predicts 21-year first in Newcastle vs Leeds United
Leeds United are back on the road on Wednesday when they take on Newcastle.
With the January transfer window open and deals already happening, plenty of the focus is on who Leeds could sign in the coming weeks.
However, for Daniel Farke and his players, it will very much be business as usual, with another big fixture approaching.
The Whites enter Wednesday’s clash with Newcastle unbeaten in the last seven, having secured a draw against Man United last time out, which, in turn, saw Ruben Amorim sacked.
St James’ Park could witness first since 2004 vs Leeds
Leeds have been in incredible form as of late, and have already served up several shock results against sides tipped for Champions League qualification or better.
Wednesday’s clash with Newcastle will be another of those encounters, though Eddie Howe’s side have had a fairly rocky campaign itself by their own standards.
A win for Leeds would take them within four points of Newcastle, though the chances of that happening are incredibly slim, at least by Opta‘s supercomputer estimations.
The Magpies have a 63.8 per cent chance of taking all three points against the Whites, while Leeds have a 16.9 per cent chance of victory.
If that prediction were to come true, it would be Newcastle’s first home league victory against Leeds since January 2004, when Alan Shearer scored in a 1-0 win.
Leeds have perfect chance to end Newcastle record by repeating 2021 feat
As a newly-promoted side, regardless of how they’ve fared, Leeds are always going to be considered the underdogs, especially away from home.
The main reason for that is how much clubs have struggled with the jump in the past.
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last 13 home games against newly-promoted sides, last suffering a defeat in those circumstances against Leeds back in 2021.
Jack Harrison and Raphinha scored the goals for the Whites on that day, with Miguel Almiron on the score sheet for the hosts.
While neither of those will have any lasting impact on Wednesday – the latter especially – Leeds have several forwards who will be looking to make that record their own.