Blackburn Rovers vs Newcastle United - Carling Cup Match Preview

Two sides at opposite ends of the Premier League table battle tonight over a Carling Cup Quarter final birth.

When Newcastle United took on Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League a month ago at St James' Park and beat them comfortably 3-1, the North East club must have felt like they were in a different league to their opponents. Rovers were completley outclassed that day and if Newcastle had shown more composure in front of goal, could have won by several more. United currently lie joint third in the league, a whopping 14 points ahead of bottom placed Blackburn but the Carling Cup is always a great equaliser, and Newcastle will know that all too well having needed extra time to beat both Nottingham Forest and Scunthorpe in previous rounds, who actually are in different leagues. With many changes expected on both sides, tonight's game is expected to feature players with something to prove and a tight affair is predicted. For Blackburn, under fire boss Steve Kean may see winning this trophy as being his one saviour in a season where fan protests are calling for his head and many at Ewood Park are starting to get that sinking feeling. So there will be a fan expectation for them to go all out tonight against Newcastle and field a strong 11, whilst Alan Pardew has mostly played strong sides in the cup so far this season and knows that in the position The Magpies are in right now, there is a good chance for them to reach their first quarter final in years with half a dozen previous managers revolving through the door since the 2005 FA Cup run where they made the semi-finals under Graeme Souness. The winners of tonight's game might just fancy their chances to go all the way...

Team News

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi, who was almost certainly going to start this game having fought his way back to full fitness, pulled his hamstring in his cameo against Wigan on Saturday and is now ruled out for six weeks. Midfield dynamo Cheik Tiote won't play having been ruled out with a knee injury (though Pardew won't risk him in these cup ties anyway) with Steven Taylor a huge doubt with a broken nose. There was some talk this week he may wear a mask to play in the game but Pardew must surely see that getting him fit for Monday night's game against Stoke at the Brittania must be seen as priority. Mike Williamson is still some weeks away from being available for selection, so that will probably force James Perch into a centre back position alongside Captain Coloccini having played there against Forest and Pardew recently stating he is the current CB back-up. But of course Pardew I don't think trusts Perch (and for good reason) and with Hungarian defender Tamas Kadar (who is fit and has played in reserves) clearly not in Pardew's mind despite him always playing well under Chris Hughton, I just hope they don't rush back Taylor too quickly. Davide Santon will be hoping to make his first start for the club on either the left or the right and it will be interesting to see who out of Danny Simpson or Ryan Taylor is removed to accommodate him. Having been itching to start French playmakers Hatem Ben Arfa and Sylvain Marveaux in the league but being unwilling to drop either, they must been seen as big contenders for some pitch time tonight. Pardew will also need to decide whether he wants to give reserve keeper Rob Elliott some pitch time but having him leak four goals against Forest, there's definitely a case for just keeping in Tim Krul. The likes of Dan Gosling, Danny Guthrie, Alan Smith, Shane Ferguson, Peter Lovenkrands and Mehdi Abeid will be hoping for a starting birth with players like Jonas Guttierez, Yohan Cabaye, Gabriel Obertan, Leon Best and Demba Ba potentially rested. At least one or two of those I expect to be. For Blackburn, Steven Nzonzi is suspended and Jordan Siew is cup-tied. David Dunn, Ryan Nelsen are both injured. Scott Dann and Michael Salgado are huge doubts. Prediction: 0-1 - Tight, tight game and I can imagine it going as late as extra time but I think Newcastle might just knick it and continue their good run into the Quarter finals.
Editor-in-chief
Editor-in-chief

Matt Holmes is the co-founder of What Culture, formerly known as Obsessed With Film. He has been blogging about pop culture and entertainment since 2006 and has written over 10,000 articles.