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Ahead of the Premier League meeting between Newcastle and Liverpool this weekend, we caught up with a couple of fans for their take on the match...
Newcastle fan- Russell Hughes
We are on a downward spiral and everyone knows it. Steve McLaren knows it, Fabricio Coloccini knows it and so does Jurgen Klopp. Klopp has got his Liverpool side playing with intensity, and he’s making them win games again. Coming up against our defence which has been leaking goals and with a leadership vacuum must be a dream come true.
After conceding eight goals in two games, Philippe Coutinho and co must be licking their lips at the thought of playing us this weekend.
Our only hope is if Newcastle get themselves fired up like they did against Chelsea, and Moussa Sissoko puts in the type of performance he usually reserves for sides who might want to sign him.
It’s been a bleak few weeks for Toon fans, and it probably won’t get any better.
Score prediction : Newcastle 0-3 Liverpool
Show all 17 1 /17Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>17) Josh King (Bournemouth)</b> Junior Stanislas grabbed all the headlines for his two amazing late goals in a spectacular draw with Everton last week, but it was the versatile King who really caught the eye. He started the game up front and then moved to the right wing, setting up Stanislas' first goal with a neat cross. With Bournemouth in the midst of an injury crisis, King's tactical flexibility is a real asset for Eddie Howe
Last Fixture: D - 3-3 - Everton
Next Fixture: Chelsea (a)
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Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>16) Salomon Rondon (West Bromwich Albion)</b> The Venezuelan was asked to do a lot for the Baggies in Tony Pulis' very defensive 4-5-1 at Upton Park, but toiled away for 90 minutes to put pressure onto a stuttering West Ham. The goals haven't quite come as he or Pulis may have liked, but he's proving a real asset and keeping Saido Berahino (said to be worth £20m) out of the team at present.
Last Fixture: D - 1-1 - West Ham
Next Fixture: Tottenham (a)
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Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>15) Yannick Bolasie (Crystal Palace)</b> When Crystal Palace, and Bolasie in particular, are on form, they are as dangerous as any team in the Premier League. The problem with Alan Pardew's team has been consistency - they are exceeding expectations in seventh but had still dropped points at home to Sunderland and West Ham, and would be third with wins from those two matches. The dangerous Toffees have scored 10 goals in their last two matches at Goodison Park.
Last Fixture: W - 5-1 - Newcastle
Next Fixture: Everton (a)
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Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>14) Eden Hazard (Chelsea)</b> The Belgian was played out of position as a 'false 9' in the goalless draw at White Hart Lane and played pretty well, although he failed to get on the scoresheet. After a dreadful start to the season - where he looked completely uninterested - the Belgian is working hard and looks (almost) back to his best. He still needs to score and create more but the effort is definitely there. The Cherries have conceded 30 goals this season, on par with Newcastle for the most.
Last Fixture: D - 0-0 - Tottenham
Next Fixture: Bournemouth (h)
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Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>13) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)</b> Those early season struggles over Kane's fitness and form are now a very distant memory. He now has nine goals in his last seven matches and looks like the player who took the division by storm at this time last year. Kane is looking confident in front of goal and continues to lead the line for a Spurs team still unbeaten since the first day of the season. The goalless draw with a wounded Chelsea may seem like a missed opportunity.
Last Fixture: D - 0-0 - Chelsea
Next Fixture: West Brom (a)
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Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>12) Bafetimbi Gomis (Swansea City)</b> Just one win in 10 will bring pressure to even the most secure of managers and that's exactly what is happening with Garry Monk. They enjoyed a fine start to the season but their form has deserted them - and none more obvious than with the French striker. Stretching back to the end of last season Gomis enjoyed a spell where he scored nine in 10 games. But now he is without a goal since 30 August.
Last Fixture: L - 1-0 - Liverpool
Next Fixture: Leicester (h)
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Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>11) Lee Cattermole (Sunderland)</b> Three wins in five and suddenly the optimism is suddenly flooding back to Wearside. Cattermole will never win awards for his ability on the ball, but his work ethic and desire to help his team is second to none. He was outstanding against Stoke and Sam Allardyce will be hoping for a similar performance against an under-strength Arsenal.
Last Fixture: W - 2-0 - Stoke City
Next Fixture: Arsenal (a)
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Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>10) Graziano Pelle (Southampton)</b> After a superb start to the season and some impressive scalps, Southampton have now lost each of their last two League matches and were absolutely dismantled by Liverpool, despite taking a first minute lead. Ronald Koeman and Co will be desperate to get back on track against Aston Villa.
Last Fixture: L - 3-1 - Man City
Next Fixture: Aston Villa (h)
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Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>9) Robbie Brady (Norwich City)</b> The hard-working Irish winner summed up Norwich's performance against Arsenal last week, he just wanted it more than his more starry opponents. Has been constantly impressive for the Canaries this season, and will again have to be at his best against rivals Watford.
Last Fixture: D - 1-1 - Arsenal
Next Fixture: Watford (a)
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>8) Romelu Lukaku (Everton)</b> Everton somehow conspired to throw away a two goal half-time lead and then what should have been an injury time winner to draw with the Cherries on Saturday. They completely gave up in the second period, allowing Bournemouth back in the game when it should have been wrapped up. Lukaku is always a threat, and Palace will be wary.
Last Fixture: D - 3-3 - Bournemouth
Next Fixture: Crystal Palace (h)
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>7) Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)</b> A miserable performance at Selhurst Park that had started so brightly. Cisse isn't a hard worker or a striker who will make those around him better, but he is a goalscorer. A home game against Liverpool is a tough task but if Newcastle are to survive this season, Cisse will be the man to get them the goals.
Last Fixture: L - 5-1 - Crystal Palace
Next Fixture: Liverpool (h)
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Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>6) Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)</b> Liverpool keep on winning under Jurgen Klopp but they weren't exactly doing it with thrilling football, until the win over Southampton in midweek. The fabled gegenpressing is mesmerising to watch and Jurgen Klopp admitted after the game that he finally understands the hype around Sturridge. Southampton were very poor but the England striker, when fit, is one of the best around
Last Fixture: W - 1-0 - Swansea
Next Fixture: Newcastle (a)
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Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>5) Odion Ighalo (Watford)</b> Troy Deeney could easily fit in this place instead of his strike partner with both proving they are more than good enough to excel at the top level. Deeney is that bit more creative, dropping deeper to link the play while Ighalo is an out and out goal threat, he's lethal.
Last Fixture: W - 3-2 - Aston Villa
Next Fixture: Norwich (h)
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Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>4) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)</b> Manchester City will only go so far as Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany will take them but the Belgian has done a valiant job in keeping Manuel Pellegrini's men afloat. Arrived in a mega £55m summer move but the fact nobody raises their eyes at that is testament to how good he's been. Four goals and six assists in 10 Premier League matches
Last Fixture: W - 3-1 - Southampton
Next Fixture: Stoke (a)
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>3) Chris Smalling (Manchester United)</b> The best centre-back in the country by quite a margin at the moment, if he keeps this up then he simply must start for England at Euro 2016. Managed to keep the in-form Jamie Vardy as quiet as has been possible in recent weeks and is also a real threat in the opposition box. Van Gaal's defensive tactics are helping him, but Smalling has been outstanding.
Last Fixture: D - 1-1 - Leicester City
Next Fixture: West Ham (h)
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Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>2) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)</b> The German still has his naysayers but he has been utterly superb this season. He has 11 Premier League assists (no other player has more than six) and chipped in with a couple of goals. As Arsenal's predictable injury list builds up, Santi Cazorla joins Francis Coquelin and Alexis Sanchez as the latest major problems, his role will take on even further importance.
Last Fixture: D - 1-1 - Norwich
Next Fixture: Sunderland (h)
Premier League Power Rankings: Week 15 <b>1) Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)</b> Who else? He hasn't won any fans for his off-field antics but on it the English striker is playing as well as any player in the division. He is an absolute menace because of his work rate and blistering pace - he has shown a level of skill and composure that would have been impossible to think of just six months ago. A truly remarkable rise. Can he make it 12 in a row?
Last Fixture: D - 1-1 - Man United
Next Fixture: Swansea (a)
Liverpool fan - Yemi Abiade
Liverpool and Newcastle have contested some of the greatest matches in Premier League history over the years, while this season both clubs find themselves on different trajectories. Steve McClaren’s side will be hosting us off the back of a 5-1 thrashing by Crystal Palace, while Liverpool continue to rise under Jurgen Klopp and sit just four points off a top-four place.
Every game is difficult, and Klopp will consider Newcastle, languishing in the relegation zone, a tough opponent. We could be buoyed by the return of Philippe Coutinho – his presence was sorely missed last time out against Swansea, while Klopp will expect the same levels of intensity from his players that he has instilled into them.
Georginio Wijnaldum will be one to watch out for in Newcastle’s ranks; he represents much of the North East side’s energy going forward and nullifying his impact will be crucial. Another Premier League classic on the cards?
Score prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
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