Stoke City vs. Newcastle United: Magpies Match Preview

Newcastle will be hoping Stoke are still suffering the effects of their FA Cup hangover today as the Magpies travel down to the Britannia.

Stoke boast some of the best home form of 2011 having taken 10 points from a possible 12 in front of their own fans since the new year. Their travelling woes, however, have seen them slip down the table and manager Tony Pulis will be looking to get things back on track this afternoon.

With three points up for grabs both sides will be looking to move one step closer to securing their Premier League survival.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew should expect a reaction from his side after they slumped to a disappointing home loss to Everton last time out. The Magpies have the added incentive of exacting revenge after the Potters beat them at home earlier in the season.

The two sides are just two points apart and find themselves separated by only two places in the Premier League table.

Last Meeting

September 26, 2010 - Newcastle United 1 (Nolan 43pen) Stoke City 2 (Jones 67, Perch 85og)

Form Guide
(Last six games - Premier League)

Stoke - LWLLDL

Newcastle - LDDWDL

Stoke are coming off an impressive victory over West Ham in the cup and will be brimming with confidence in front of their home fans today.

Their form in the league this season has been far from consistent but the Britannia is not a place where three points are easy to come by.

Newcastle will be feeling well rested after not featuring in the FA Cup last time out.

Their indifferent home form was on display two weeks ago against Everton, in a loss, and the squad will surely be looking to bounce back.

They face a difficult task but will be hoping to grind out another good away performance against the Potters.

Team News

Stoke City

Manager Tony Pulis will be without striker John Carew who is still suffering from the back injury that kept him sidelined for the FA Cup quarterfinal win over West Ham last weekend.

Asmir Begovic looks set to return between the sticks after making way for Thomas Sorensen in the cup.

Newcastle

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will have late decisions to make over the inclusions of Joey Barton and Jonas Gutierrez.

The Magpies have missed Barton for the past two games with a thigh problem and although he returned to training this week he may not be risked unless 100% fit.

Stephen Ireland will definitely miss out after suffering from a thigh injury in training.

Newcastle will face more problems down the left with full-back Jose Enrique rated as very doubtful and Jonas Gutierrez also struggling, both with hamstring injuries.

Ryan Taylor will serve the second of a three-match ban while Nile Ranger looks set to feature on the bench after recovering from a knock that kept him out against Everton.

Long-term absentees: Alan Smith (ankle), Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg), Dan Gosling (knee)

Projected Starting Lineups

Stoke City: Begovic, Higginbotham, Huth, Shawcross, Delap, Pennant, Wilson, Etherington, Whelan, Walters, Jones.

Newcastle: Harper, Coloccini, Simpson, Williamson, Taylor, Nolan, Barton, Gutierrez, Tiote, Best, Lovenkrands.

The Soundbite

Alan Pardew, Newcastle manager: "It is a tough game. Stoke have found some great form, and the job Tony has done there and the way they play make it very difficult for you.

"The pitch is small, so their set plays become more accurate and that is something you have to cope with. We will make sure that we can handle their strengths and then play our own game."