Venue: St James Park Kick-Off: 4pm Super Sunday as it is known on Sky Sports features the heavyweight clash between the Toon Army and the Red Devils, and it is a mouthwatering clash. Newcastle have not been in the greatest form in the early stages of the season, but the 3-0 thumping of Bordeaux in the Europa League during the week will have done them the world of good in the build up to this clash. 10th place Newcastle currently have an unbeaten home record this season, including two victories against Norwich and Tottenham. In the past 10 meetings between the sides Newcastle have only recorded one victory, but the fact that this came in their last encounter with last season's runner's up will give them a boost ahead of the clash. Manchester United, although currently sitting 3rd in the table have had a very poor start to the season, with unconvincing performances in practically all of their games this season, bar their 4-0 win at Old Trafford over Wigan. That match is the only league match in which they have kept a clean sheet, and also the only match in which they have not fallen behind. Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking for a response from his team after last week's defeat to Tottenham, but St James Park is not the first place he would have chosen to achieve this.
Team News
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will likely welcome back the big guns after Thursday's impressive win over Bordeaux, with 'keeper Steve Harper returning to the net after Rob Elliot was injured in that game, meaning youngster Jak Alnwick will likely make the bench. The other big names to return will probably be Davide Santon, Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa and Demba Ba who all sat out the 3-0 victory over the French side. Danny Simpson is likely to start against his old club after putting in 90 minutes against Bordeaux, but defenders Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor and Ryan Taylor are all still unavailable. Manchester United will likely have Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick available after they all missed the Champions League trip to Cluj on Tuesday, and Jonny Evans is fit again, but Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Nemanja Vidic and Phil Jones all remain out.
Likely Line-Ups
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Harper; Simpson, Pearch, Williamson, Santon; Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Tioté, Gutierrez; Cissé, Ba
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Lindegaard; Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Carrick, Scholes; Nani, Rooney, Cleverley; Van Persie.
Referee: Howard Webb
Prediction: 2-1
Given Manchester United's stuttering form and leaky defence, this match could well see the shock result of the weekend.