RYDER’S VERDICT

NEWCASTLE are clear favourites to beat struggling Swansea at St James’ Park as they look to keep up their good run of form in 2018.

The Magpies earned a 1-0 win at Stoke City on New Year’s Day and did so without reverting to ultra-defensive tactics.

Whether Rafa Benitez opts to keep things tight against the Swans remains to be seen.

Newcastle will be looking to expose a Swans’ defence which has conceded 34 goals and, while Luton Town are a League Two side, a similar start to the game would pile pressure on Carlos Carvalhal’s side.

I still expect some caution from Benitez’s side because he will not want to lose – but hopefully the mentality of settling for a draw will not be part of the game plan this time around.