Newcastle United looking to avoid equalling 65-year streak versus Leicester City

Newcastle United will be hoping to avoid matching a 65-year record when they face Leicester City on Boxing Day.

Eddie Howe's side resume top-flight action sitting in third position and with the opportunity to move ahead of Manchester City in the standings.

In 15 Premier League matches during 2022-23, the Magpies have suffered just one defeat, that setback coming courtesy of a 98th-minute winner from Liverpool at Anfield.

Newcastle will make the trip to the King Power Stadium as the marginal favourites to overcome their hosts, who have found their best form more recently.

Nevertheless, the North-East side head into this fixture looking to miss out on equalling a streak which was last set between 1949 and 1957.

Not since Walsall during that time has one team lost seven successive league games to be played on Boxing Day.

© Reuters

As it stands, Newcastle have lost six fixtures staged on Boxing Day in a row, a streak which has lasted since they defeated Stoke City in 2013.

The run began with a 3-1 defeat at Manchester United during 2014-15, before a 94th-minute Tom Cleverley goal earned Everton a 1-0 win in 2015.

Down in the Championship, Newcastle went down 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday at St James' Park, while Liverpool ran out 4-0 victors in a 2018 encounter at Anfield.

Newcastle again went up against Man United at Old Trafford in 2019, taking the lead before finding themselves 4-1 behind come the 51st minute.

The most recent loss on Boxing Day came at the home of Manchester City, who posted a 2-0 triumph in 2020.