Eddie Howe’s Magpies are in search of a fifth consecutive Premier League victory at St James’ Park - a feat they’ve not achieved since March 2019 - when they welcome Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City to Tyneside on Easter Sunday. 

Newcastle United distanced themselves from the relegation zone after a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and moved 10 points clear of third bottom Burnley with just seven games remaining. 

Since the turn of the year, Newcastle have accumulated 23 points from their 12 matches played - the fifth highest in the league - with 13 of those picked up at home which has been a fortress since Howe was appointed as they have not suffered a top-flight defeat in the North East since December. 

Meanwhile opponents Leicester have only won three games on the road all season and are currently 12th in those standings with 15 points from 11 matches. 

The Foxes have endured an underwhelming domestic campaign by their standards and have struggled for consistency throughout the season with their form showing similarities to that of a see-saw as they sit in ninth and 11 points off a UEFA Europa Conference League spot.

But speaking of Europe and that competition aforementioned, Leicester’s season could yet still end on a high with silverware up for grabs as they reached their first European semi-final with a 2-1 aggregate win over PSV Eindhoven to stay in contention of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League next season. 

  • Team News - Newcastle

Magpies boss Howe is optimistic that Ryan Fraser and Joe Willock could both be available for selection against The Foxes after the Scotland winger limped off in the hard-earned win over Wolves, while Willock missed the game due to a slight knock. 

However, there is still no return date for Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson, but the duo are both beginning to build up fitness.

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  • Team News - Leicester

The Foxes have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to the North East, but Rodgers is expected to rotate his side after their midweek European heroics in Holland

Jamie Vardy remains sidelined with a knee problem, while Wilfred Ndidi, Danny Ward and Ryan Bertrand have all been ruled out for the rest of the season. 

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  • Previous meetings 

In the reverse fixture in December, Rodgers’ side comfortably claimed a 4-0 win, when Youri Tielemans scored twice on his 100th appearance for The Foxes, while Patson Daka and James Maddison also got on the scoresheet as Leicester, in their 12 previous Premier League meetings over Newcastle recorded their ninth victory. 

The Magpies also have a dismal home record against the East Midlands outfit, having lost the last six games in succession in all competitions and failed to score in three of those encounters. 

Newcastle’s last top-flight victory over Leicester in the North East arrived in October 2014 courtesy of Gabriel Obertan’s 71st-minute winner. 

  • Ones to watch

Bruno Guimaraes - Newcastle 

Since his £35.5m move from Lyon in January, Guimaraes has made 10 first-team appearances for Newcastle, but has only started in four of those matches due to the form of the midfield trio of Jonjo Shelvey, Willock and fellow compatriot Joelinton which saw The Magpies go on a nine-match unbeaten run. 

Yet it’s now the energetic Brazilian midfielder who’s currently the undroppable one and he showed just why after a star-studded performance against Bruno Lage’s side where he stole the show in his first start at St James’ Park. 

Despite a lack of game time with just 407 minutes played for the black-and-whites so far this season, Guimaraes has an impressive 81% pass success rate and a 60% win ratio highlighting why he was The Magpies’ most expensive signing in the January transfer window. 

The box-to-box sensation has already shown he’s capable of world class potential and with his work ethic, professionalism and attitude to match, it’s without question he’s going to be one to watch not just on Sunday, but throughout his time on Tyneside.

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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - Leicester

In his breakthrough season with The Foxes with 34 appearances in all competitions, Dewsbury-Hall has been a consistent standout performer for Rodgers’ team and has deservedly earned his place as a regular in the starting line-up. 

The 23-year-old, who graduated through the Leicester Academy, struck his maiden Premier League goal with a spectacular 20-yard strike and also grabbed an assist last time out during the 2-1 home win over Crystal Palace in arguably his best display yet with an instrumental performance at the King Power Stadium.

Dewsbury-Hall is a bright young star and playing alongside the likes of Tielemans and Maddison on a weekly basis will only help improve his ability further and if he continues this sparkling run of form, then he may start to catch the eye of England manager Gareth Southgate.

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  • Predicted line-ups

Newcastle United: Dubravka; Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett; Guimaraes, Shelvey, Joelinton; Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin. (4-3-3)

Leicester City: Schmeichel; Justin, Fofana, Soyuncu, Thomas; Tielemans, Mendy; Maddison, Dewsbury-Hall, Barnes; Daka. (4-2-3-1)

  • Where to watch the game

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League with kick-off at 2:15pm and coverage starting from 1:30pm. Highlights will also be available to watch on Sky Sports Football’s YouTube channel shortly after the full-time whistle. 

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