Newcastle United vs. Liverpool: 5 Bold Predictions for Premier League Battle

Sunday's fixture will see Newcastle United welcome back a trio of familiar faces to Sports Direct Arena (we know, it's a terrible name), as Kenny Dalglish, Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique return to Tyneside for the first time with their new club.

The match will feature a Newcastle side looking to keep pace with Chelsea in the battle for European qualification, while still maintaining hopes of reeling in Tottenham, whom they trail by only five points for the final UEFA Champions League birth.

Meanwhile, Dalglish and his men come into the match looking to salvage a campaign that has gone off the rails in 2012. After losing five of the last six Premier League matches, Liverpool have all but dropped out of the race for a top-four finish.

Only Wolves (five) have collected fewer points than the Reds (eight) since the turn of the calendar.

Can they get things back on track? Here are five predictions for what promises to be an entertaining contest.

Andy Carroll Will Score Against His Former Club

The English striker has had a difficult time justifying his £35 million transfer fee since he arrived at Anfield in January 2011.

With only three league goals to his name so far this season, Carroll is hoping that a return to the ground that saw him have so much success (albeit in a short period of time), will be the catalyst for a strong ending to the campaign.

He has already promised not to celebrate if he does indeed find the back of the net, but that certainly doesn't mean he wouldn't enjoy a goal against his former club.

...His Goal Will Be One of Many

This fixture has produced plenty of excitement for fans in recent times, with the two clubs combining for 13 goals in their previous three Premier League matches.

With Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini set to miss the match because of a torn hamstring, that could be just the break Liverpool need to find their scoring touch, one that has been lacking all year long.

In Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard, the Reds have two players who enjoy seeing the Magpies come up on the schedule. Kuyt has struck for five goals in seven starts in this fixture, while the captain has netted five times in his last five appearances against Newcastle.

At the other end of the pitch, the combination of Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa should continue their excellent form that has seen them become one of the most dangerous attacking trio's in the Premier League.

Liverpool's Midfield Will Struggle Without Charlie Adam

The Scotland international has played a major role for Kenny Dalglish throughout the season, anchoring the Liverpool midfield in the absence of Lucas Leiva.

But it has been revealed that Adam will miss the remainder of the season due to lateral ligament damage that he sustained in his right knee during the recent 3-2 loss against QPR.

With Jordan Henderson and Jay Spearing expected to slot into the midfield, Gerrard may simply have too much to handle on his own, especially when you consider the return of Cheik Tiote for the home side.

With Yohan Cabaye alongside him, Newcastle will certainly have the edge in the middle of the park.

Hatem Ben Arfa Will Be the Man of the Match

The Newcastle attacker is enjoying his best run of form since he moved to the club from Marseille, with his performances often grabbing all the headlines in the past month.

While strikers Ba and Cisse take the plaudits for their ability to finish chances, it is Ben Arfa that has been creating many of them, while scoring a few himself.

The French international has four goals and four assists this season, proving to be a natural playing in the "number 10" role for the Magpies.

His skill and creativity on the ball will be a major factor if Newcastle hope to break down a stubborn Liverpool defense, which has conceded only 31 goals this season.

Newcastle Will Come Away with Three Points

Despite losing the reverse fixture 3-1 at Anfield in late December, Newcastle are simply playing much better football at the moment ("champagne" football, if you ask Alan Pardew).

In addition, they also have much more to play for, which will be more than enough motivation to come out and attack right from the opening whistle.

The combination of the two should propel the home side to an important victory, one that will only strengthen their belief that they are worthy of European competition next season.

While the Magpies are flying high, Liverpool are enduring their worst run of form in recent memory.

Expect that run to continue on Sunday.