As Premier League football returns from the international break, all eyes turn to St James' Park where Newcastle United gear up for a crucial clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 13, 2025. For both sides, the stakes are high: Newcastle are desperate to notch their first win of the new campaign, while Wolves are equally eager to claw their way off the bottom of the table after a string of defeats.
Newcastle’s summer was anything but quiet. The departure of star striker Alexander Isak, who netted 23 league goals last season before a British-record move to Liverpool, left a gaping hole in the Magpies’ attack. As if that wasn’t enough, veteran forward Callum Wilson also exited, joining West Ham on a free transfer. The Magpies responded with late transfer window moves, bringing in Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart, Yoane Wissa from Brentford, and Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest to bolster their forward line.
But just as fans began to hope for a new-look attack, injuries and suspensions struck. Yoane Wissa, the £55 million deadline day signing expected to don the club’s iconic No. 9 shirt, suffered a knee injury during the international break. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe confirmed in his pre-match press conference, “He won’t make this game. I saw him for the first time yesterday, he is feeling the effects of the injury he sustained before he came off so we will have to see how he is. He will go away for tests and maybe see a specialist to see.” Wissa’s debut will have to wait, and the Magpies’ attacking options are suddenly looking thin again.
Jacob Ramsey, another high-profile summer arrival from Aston Villa for £40 million, is also sidelined. Ramsey started in Newcastle’s last two matches, but an ankle injury picked up during the 0-0 draw with Leeds United forced him off at halftime. Howe delivered the bad news: “Jacob Ramsey will miss the game after suffering from that tackle against Leeds. His ankle is swollen and unfortunately I think he will be missing until the last international break.” That means Ramsey is set to miss at least seven matches, including crucial league fixtures and cup ties.
As if that wasn’t enough, Anthony Gordon remains suspended following his straight red card against Liverpool. The winger will miss the Wolves match and the subsequent trip to Bournemouth, though he’ll be eligible for the midweek Champions League showdown with Barcelona—red card bans don’t apply to European competition. The absence of Gordon, who has been a lively presence on the left wing, leaves Howe with tough decisions about his starting XI.
There is, however, a glimmer of hope for Newcastle supporters. Brazilian midfielder Joelinton, who missed the last outing due to a thigh problem, is back in training and available for selection. Howe was upbeat: “Joe is fit and available and been out on the training pitch so it’s great to have him back.” The Magpies will also monitor Bruno Guimaraes, who played at high altitude with Brazil in Bolivia just days before the match. Howe admitted, “We’ve had discussions with Bruno to see how he feels. We have to be confident he can give his best for the team. I’m not sure if Bruno will share that view with us but we will have to wait and see.”
Newcastle’s recent form has been a mixed bag. They’ve picked up just two points from three Premier League games—drawing with Aston Villa and Leeds, and falling to Liverpool in dramatic fashion. The attack has looked toothless, with only two goals scored so far. Last season’s fixture against Wolves ended in a resounding 3-0 win for the Toon, but with so many new faces and key absences, repeating that feat will be no small task.
Wolves, meanwhile, arrive on Tyneside without a point to their name after three games. Defensive frailties have haunted them, conceding eight goals already, but they showed flashes of attacking promise in a narrow 3-2 loss to Everton. The Midlands club made a late move themselves, signing striker Tolu Arokodare from Genk to support Jorgen Strand Larsen—though Strand Larsen is a doubt with an Achilles issue after returning early from Norway duty. Hwang Hee-chan, who found the net against Everton, is likely to lead the line if Larsen isn’t fit. Wolves are also sweating on the fitness of Leon Chiwome, Ki-Jana Hoever, and Hugo Bueno, with the latter undergoing a late fitness test.
For Newcastle, the predicted starting XI is a 4-3-3: Pope in goal, a back four of Livramento, Schar, Burn, and Hall, with Bruno, Tonali, and a returning Joelinton in midfield. Up front, Elanga and Barnes are expected to flank Nick Woltemade, who could be handed a full debut in Wissa’s absence. It’s a lineup that blends youth, new signings, and a few familiar faces—though the chemistry between them remains a work in progress.
The Magpies’ defensive record this season has flown under the radar. They’ve kept two clean sheets and, according to Opta, have conceded the fewest expected goals in the league (just 1.6). Yet, their attacking output is among the league’s lowest. Howe is expected to revert to a more adventurous back four after trialing a back five against Leeds, hoping the added firepower up front can finally break the deadlock.
There’s added intrigue in the Wolves camp as well. Rumors swirled over the summer that Newcastle had targeted Jorgen Strand Larsen, but Wolves refused to sell the Norwegian striker, who has since scored twice in the Carabao Cup. If he shakes off his Achilles issue, Strand Larsen will be itching to show Newcastle what they missed out on.
Suspension rules also play a role in Howe’s selection headaches. Premier League regulations mean that Gordon’s red card ban only applies to domestic competitions, so he’ll be available for the Champions League. Meanwhile, Newcastle’s disciplinary record is otherwise clean—Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Joelinton, and Nick Pope have each picked up a single yellow card, but no one is close to triggering a suspension.
The fixture list doesn’t get any easier for Newcastle, with upcoming league matches against Bournemouth, Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest, plus a glamorous Champions League tie against Barcelona and a Carabao Cup clash with Bradford. Every point is precious, and the pressure is mounting on Howe to find a winning formula amid injuries and suspensions.
As the teams prepare to take the field at St James’ Park, the sense of anticipation is palpable. Newcastle’s new signings, though hampered by injuries, have shown promise on international duty—Wissa and Elanga both scored for their countries, and Woltemade chipped in with an assist for Germany. If that form can be translated to the Premier League, perhaps the Magpies’ attack will soon click into gear.
For now, the Magpies and their fans must wait and see if this patched-up lineup can deliver the club’s first win of the season. With Wolves desperate for points and Newcastle seeking to ignite their campaign, Saturday’s showdown promises drama, tension, and—if the football gods allow—a few goals at last.
