Mark Lawrenson verdict on Newcastle United with 29 days to go until the end of the season
With just 29 days remaining in the Premier League season, Newcastle United stand at a crucial juncture in their campaign. The Magpies prepare to host Ipswich Town at St James’ Park this afternoon, looking to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
Football pundit Mark Lawrenson has weighed in with his typically forthright assessment, predicting a straightforward victory for Eddie Howe’s side.
Lawrenson, speaking to Paddy Power, dismissed any concerns about Newcastle’s ability to recover from their Villa Park setback. “This will be an easy win for Newcastle,” declared the former Liverpool defender.
“They were thumped by Aston Villa last week, but they’ll dust themselves off nicely here. Prediction: Newcastle 3 Ipswich 0.” His confidence stems from Newcastle’s impressive overall form this season, having recorded 27 wins from 43 matches across all competitions.
The statistics support Lawrenson’s optimism, particularly when comparing both teams’ recent trajectories:
| Metric | Newcastle United | Ipswich Town |
|---|---|---|
| Last 5 PL Results | 4 wins, 1 loss | 1 win, 4 losses |
| Home/Away Form | Won 4 of last 5 at home | Lost 4 of last 5 away |
| Goals Scored (PL) | 21 in last 8 matches | 8 in last 8 matches |
| Current Position | 5th | 18th |
Newcastle’s defeat at Villa Park contained mitigating circumstances – Sandro Tonali’s errant pass and Jacob Murphy’s defensive lapse contributed to two early goals, while cruel deflections amplified the scoreline.
Today’s match presents a completely different challenge against an Ipswich side battling relegation and showing signs of demoralization after a difficult campaign.
The remaining fixture list suggests this afternoon’s game represents Newcastle’s most winnable match before a challenging run-in:
- 26 April: Newcastle v Ipswich (H)
- 4 May: Brighton v Newcastle (A) – Sky Sports
- 11 May: Newcastle v Chelsea (H) – TNT Sports
- 18 May: Arsenal v Newcastle (A) – Sky Sports
- 25 May: Newcastle v Everton (H)
With European qualification still very much in play, Newcastle cannot afford any slip-ups against struggling opposition.
The Magpies have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions prior to the Villa defeat, demonstrating their ability to put together strong runs of form.
Today’s encounter offers the perfect opportunity to prove last weekend’s result was merely a blip rather than the start of a concerning trend.
As Lawrenson suggests, the combination of home advantage, superior quality, and Ipswich’s precarious position should see Newcastle return to winning ways in convincing fashion.
Anything less than three points would represent a missed opportunity in what has otherwise been another progressive season under Eddie Howe’s stewardship.
With the St James’ Park faithful behind them, Newcastle appear well-placed to begin their final push for European football with a statement victory.