(Football news) The previous time they met, at Molineux, a little over four months ago, they played out an intriguing 2-2 stalemate in which neither team could pull away.
Following a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes at Ewood Park on Wednesday, Newcastle needed penalties to upset Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup, three days after suffering a crushing 4-1 loss to Arsenal away in the Premier League.
Gordon’s first goal in the 71st minute was cancelled out by Sammie Szmodics eight minutes later. However, he and Blackburn captain Dominic Hyam had their spot kicks saved by Magpies hero Martin Dubravka in the shootout, as the visitors won 4-3 to set up a difficult quarterfinal matchup with holders Manchester City in two weeks.
Eddie Howe has expressed the “relief” that he felt after the closely-fought contest, and while he also stressed the importance of his Newcastle side progressing as far as possible in the FA Cup, a strong finish to their Premier League campaign is also high on the club’s agenda.
Newcastle, who have won just two of their last nine top-flight matches, have slipped to 10th in the table, one point and one place behind Saturday’s opponents Wolves, while they are also just two points behind Brighton & Hove Albion in seventh spot.
Howe and co will be keen to amend their home form having failed to win any of their last four games at St James’ Park, and they will fancy their chances of success this weekend as they have lost just one of their last eight Premier League home meetings with Wolves, winning their last two in the process.
After defeating Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United in the Premier League back-to-back, Wolves ended February on a high note on Wednesday as they narrowly defeated Brighton 1-0 at home in the FA Cup fifth round.
The match was won by the hosts thanks to a sliding close-range goal by Mario Lemina that came in after just 79 seconds. As a result, they will have a favorable quarterfinal matchup against Coventry City, a rival team from the West Midlands, at Molineux in two weeks.
