Sunday Tips: Can improving Newcastle leave Molineux with a win?

In-form Newcastle and Spurs are just two of the six Premier League teams set to fight for three points on Sunday. Read on for Greg Lea's Sunday tips.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United

Kick-off: 2pm Sunday

Newcastle were involved in a thriller last time out, sharing the spoils with Manchester City after a pulsating 3-3 draw at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe’s side have made their home ground a fortress since the start of 2022, while they also won five of their 10 away games in the second half of last season on their way to a mid-table finish.

Newcastle were disappointing in their first away match this term, as Brighton & Hove Albion dominated their meeting at the Amex Stadium. The Magpies dug in to draw 0-0, but it was far from a vintage display at either end of the pitch.

However, the Magpies will arrive at Molineux believing they can emerge with all three points. Wolves scored fewer goals than all 16 other Premier League teams to avoid relegation last season, and the early signs suggest they have not yet addressed their principal shortcoming: only West Ham have a worse return than their one goal in three games. 

Wolves’ approach play at Tottenham last week was neat and tidy, but Bruno Lage’s outfit lacked a cutting edge in the final third. That makes them ripe for the picking by Newcastle on Sunday.

Selection: Newcastle to win @ 2.78

Aston Villa v West Ham United

Kick-off: 2pm Sunday

These two clubs have more in common than their colours, with both sides enduring slow starts to the season. Aston Villa got off the mark with a 1-0 victory over Everton on matchday two, but disappointing displays in away defeats by Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have left manager Steven Gerrard under pressure.

The former Rangers boss has been backed in the transfer market, and the Villa board and fan base will expect to see results. There is no suggestion that Gerrard’s job is under threat yet, but Villa are an ambitious club and the manager’s superiors will not be happy if the team is still in the bottom half towards the end of the year.

David Moyes has more credit in the bank after his fine work over the last two seasons, but his side will be desperate to pick up their first point of the campaign this weekend. The Hammers have looked leggy and one-paced so far, and a trip to Denmark for a Europa Conference League qualifier on Thursday will not have helped - even though Moyes named a second-string side.

The fear of defeat could be a more powerful influence than the appeal of victory at Villa Park, so I am anticipating a tight and cagey contest.

Selection: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.91

Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur

Kick-off: 4.30pm Sunday

Tottenham have been a little underwhelming thus far, barring their second-half performance against Southampton on the opening weekend. Ever since, they were outclassed by Chelsea and below par against Wolves, needing a set-piece goal to win 1-0 after being second-best for most of the first half.

Still, Tottenham fans will argue – with some justification – that seven points from nine represents a solid start to the season, particularly as there is still room for improvement performance-wise. Spurs will get better from here as they seek to build on last term’s fourth-place finish.

Nottingham Forest will be reasonably pleased with their start to the campaign. Steve Cooper has had an extra week to integrate the many new faces in his squad, and Forest will be roared on by the vociferous City Ground crowd in the final game of the Premier League weekend.

This will not be a straightforward encounter for Spurs by any means, and Forest will be confident of causing them problems after scoring in their last two matches. Back both teams to find the net in what should be an entertaining affair in the East Midlands.

Selection: Both teams to score @ 1.98

Recommended trades

Wolves v Newcastle: Newcastle to win @ 2.78
Aston Villa v West Ham: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.91
Nottingham Forest v Spurs: Both Teams To Score @ 1.98