Atromitos vs Newcastle - Match Preview & Team Line-ups

By Matt Holmes / August 23, 2012

Newcastle United take on Greek side Atromitos in the Europa League Fourth Qualifying Round tonight in the first of a two-legged fair with a place in the group stages at stake. The game tonight will be United's first in Europe for over years (and well over five managers!) since Glenn Roeder's side were knocked out by Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar back in March 2007. Kick-off at the 10,00 capacity Peristeri Stadium is at 8pm local time (6pm UK time) and the match will be screened live on Premier Sports. Alan Pardew's men travelled to Greece without first teamers Demba Ba, Cheick Tiote, Hatem Ben Arfa (who is suspended for Newcastle's first three European games following a suspension at his days at Marseille) and captain Fabricio Coloccini. Also staying at home through injury or lack of fitness were Shola and Sammy Ameobi, Haris Vuckic and Shane Ferguson, all four who likely would have fancied playing tonight. The following players travelled to Greece;

Harper, Krul, Simpson, Santon, Williamson, Tavernier, S.Taylor, R.Taylor, Perch, Anita, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Amalfitano, Bigirimana, Gosling, Marveaux, Obertan, Cisse, Campbell.

Reports are that Mike Williamson will captain the side tonight, perhaps hinting that Steven Taylor won't be playing. Steve Harper is set to be between the sticks for his first competitive game in two seasons. We suspect that Cisse will almost be a loan striker with Sylvain Marveaux and Gabriel Obertan supporting from wide areas. We also believe Tavernier, Ryan Taylor, Vurnon Anita, Dan Gosling and Romain Amalfitano... though we were surprised Pardew decided to take first teamers Yohan Cabaye and Jonas Gutierrez so close to Saturday's 5.30pm kick-off against Chelsea. 17-year-old youngster Adam Campbell is likely to make an appearance off the bench for what would be his senior debut that would make him the youngster Newcastle player ever to play in Europe, beating previous record holder Andy Carroll by 64 days.