Newcastle United v Liverpool Betting Preview, Monday 25 August

The English Premier League saves some of its best theatre for Monday nights, and Week 2 comes to its conclusion with a clash at St James’ Park that has all the ingredients. Newcastle return home for the first time this season, but the mood on Tyneside is far from straightforward.

Alexander Isak’s looming transfer saga has cast a shadow over the Magpies, and the irony of Liverpool, the club he’s pushing to join, arriving in town is impossible to ignore. With that in mind, here are my thoughts and a suggested bet for your consideration.

Before we dive into the preview, a quick look at the outright market: Arsenal and Liverpool are joint favourites at 7/4, while Manchester City have drifted to 9/2. Chelsea have shortened to 7/1, while the rest of the field can be obtained at 25/1 or greater.

Click here for English Premier League Outright Betting

Get your money back if your team loses to an injury time penalty.

Introducing Tough Luck Insurance from World Sports Betting. Bet on football matches with confidence, and if your team loses to an injury time penalty, we’ll return your stake as free bets.

*Valid for Pre-Match and Live in Play events up to 90 Mins.

T’s & C’s apply. Refund/Payout limited to R5000. Single/Straight bets only.

Free Bets do not qualify for this offer. Limited to 1 refund per customer per event.

Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘ Tough Luck Insurance ’

NEWCASTLE UNITED v LIVERPOOL – Click here to bet

Newcastle’s campaign opened with real frustration as they were held to a goalless draw at Aston Villa, a result that leaves them sitting 15th in the early standings. The Magpies will feel it was two points dropped rather than one gained, especially as Villa played the final half-hour with ten men. On another day they might have nicked it, but without Isak leading the line, Eddie Howe’s men lacked the clinical edge that carried them through last season. Anthony Gordon worked tirelessly as a makeshift striker, though the absence of a natural finisher was plain to see.

For the Toon Army, this fixture carries more than the usual weight. St James’ Park was one of the toughest away grounds in the league last season, with Newcastle unbeaten in 14 of their 19 home matches, winning 12, drawing 2 and losing just 5 overall. Now, with Liverpool rolling into town, the challenge is as much about standing up to a title contender as it is about proving they can cope without their unsettled star forward.

Liverpool arrive on a winning note after a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth, a result that leaves them 5th in the early standings. The scoreline, however, was less convincing than it suggested. Arne Slot’s side surged into a 2-0 lead but were pegged back to 2-2, exposing familiar defensive issues. Late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mo Salah restored control and ensured the champions began with three points, but concerns remain at the back and Liverpool have now conceded two goals in successive matches. To make matters worse, they will be without Jeremie Frimpong after he picked up an injury in the opener, ruling him out until after the international break, a significant blow given their recent defensive frailties.

This trip to Tyneside is Liverpool’s first away assignment of the campaign, but they carry momentum from last season. Slot’s side were the Premier League’s best travellers in 2024/25 and remain unbeaten in their last ten away league matches, winning eight and drawing two. That run included four consecutive away victories to close out the season, a stretch in which they scored 15 goals while conceding six. While St James’ Park is notoriously demanding, Liverpool have won three of their last four visits, a record they will look to extend on Monday, particularly with Newcastle having looked light up front last weekend.

Head-to-Head

Last season in the EPL, these two sides played out a 3-3 draw at St James’ Park before Liverpool claimed a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture. Their most recent meeting came in March during the EFL Cup Final, where Newcastle United triumphed 2-1.

Betting

Newcastle United 12/5

Draw 29/10

Liverpool 21/20

Verdict

Goals feel inevitable here. This fixture has regularly delivered on that front, and with tensions between the sides already simmering off the pitch, it could easily spill onto it. Backing both teams to score, with at least three goals to feature, looks the way to go.

Suggested Bet: Totals and Both Teams to Score – Over 2.5 and Yes at 8/10

Click here for all the weekend’s English Football action

Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change