Date: Saturday, November 30 Venue: St. James' Park Kick-Off: 17:30 Newcastle United go looking for their fourth Premier League win in a row on Saturday, while West Brom will look to pick themselves up after letting a two goal lead slip against Aston Villa.
Team News
Mathieu Debuchy will return to Newcastle's line up after the Frenchman served a one-match suspension, with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa expected to make way for the right-back. Elsewhere, manager Alan Pardew has no fresh injury concerns and is expected to name a similar starting XI to the one which beat Norwich City last weekend. For the visitors, Baggies boss Steve Clarke is keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of the trip to Tyneside. But the Scot has admitted he has a few concerns, with the likes of Liam Ridgewell, Scott Sinclair and Billy Jones all struggling to make the squad. Depending on results elsewhere, Newcastle could find themselves in a Champions League spot on Saturday night if they manage to win their fourth game in a row. Inform Toon striker Loic Remy has netted eight goals in his last eight games for the Magpies, and is four ahead of their next highest scorer Yoan Gouffran. West Brom have won just twice in their last 11 visits to St. James' Park, with their last success coming courtesy of a 3-2 win in December 2011. Steve Clarke's men have lost just once away from home this season, with a 4-1 reverse at Liverpool their only defeat on the road.
With 12 games gone so far, this looks on paper like a typical mid-table clash, but victory for Newcastle United would put them up amongst the Premier League's elite. Wins over Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City have given the Geordies a massive life in recent weeks, and left them within touching distance of the top four. Eager to halt their run, Baggies manager Steve Clarke will set out to frustrate a home crowd of over 50,000, but he's aware of the impact a full St. James' Park can have after a spell as coach with the Magpies in the late 1990s. Speaking to Albion's official website, Clarke said: "It's a great atmosphere up there. I was fortunate enough to spend two years at Newcastle, so I know what it is like. "It's a city where the football club is the focus. There's a passionate atmosphere with a big crowd, a big stadium, but we don't go there with any fear. "Newcastle have done something that's really difficult to do in the Premier League which is win three games in a row. Any team that manages to do that means their position in the league will change dramatically." As for the home side, defeat in the derby at Sunderland remains their only loss in their last six fixtures, and expectations are growing once more on Tyneside. And boss Alan Pardew would love another three points ahead of a tricky looking trip to Swansea City next weekend. Prediction 2-1
Former matchday programme editor at my hometown club, Newcastle United, and a lifelong fan. Fully qualified journalist and experienced freelance writer with a passion for European football, particularly England and Spain. Have interviewed some of the biggest names in the game and work has appeared both locally and nationally in print, online and on air.
Attended my first Newcastle game in 1980, and my heroes include Sir Bobby Robson, Peter Beardsley, Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan - all of whom I've been lucky enough to interview and work alongside over the years.
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