Newcastle vs Stoke City: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s Premier League fixture at St James’ Park

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Stoke City travel to the North East this weekend as one of the inform sides in the division on the back of two consecutive wins over Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City.

Jonathan Walters bagged a perfect hat-trick last time out and with four career goals against Newcastle will be looking to add to his tally, should he be able to shake off a slight knee injury.

Meanwhile, Newcastle come into the fixture on the back of a 3-0 win away at Hull City – their first since Alan Pardew’s departure. Yoan Gouffran was once again impressive for the Magpies and will be out to get his third goal in three consecutive games this weekend.

On 32 points, Stoke City are currently in a better position than they have been in any previous Premier League season and have a number of favourable fixtures in the coming weeks – Manchester City aside – that could see them push on.

Newcastle’s summer signing Siem de Jong is still out of contention for the weekend’s fixture and Cheick Tiote is away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Potters’ captain Ryan Shawcross is out with a back injury but Mame Diouf is available after returning from international duty.

KICK-OFF: Sunday 2.05pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Stoke City 1 (Crouch) Newcastle United 0, Premier League, September 2014

Stoke City 1 (Pieters) Newcastle United 0, Premier League, April 2014

Newcastle United 5 (Remy 2, Gouffran, Cabaye, Cisse) Stoke City 1 (Assaidi), Premier League, December 2013

STATS…

Papiss Cisse has scored four in his last six Premier League appearances against The Potters.

Stoke City have lost 16 of their 31 Premier League away games under Mark Hughes, winning seven.

Newcastle have scored the most second half goals of any team in the top flight this season, while Stoke have scored the most goals in the opening 15 minutes.

The Potters have the lowest shooting accuracy in the league.

ODDS…

Newcastle to win: 13.10

Stoke City to win: 12.5

Draw: 12.5

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10:00pm