Premier League: Newcastle vs Liverpool match preview

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

Moussa Sissoko celebrates scoring Newcastle's second goal (Getty Images)

Newcastle come into the game in impressive form. Not only have they registered back to back wins in the league against Tottenham and Leicester respectively, but they thoroughly impressed midweek beating Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad.

With youngsters Rolando Aarons and Rob Elliot making an impression in that win, both will be pushing for a start in Saturday’s early kick off.

Alan Pardew will also be pleased that Moussa Sissoko has revived the kind of form shown when he first joined the club. The French international scored against City midweek and has started bullying defences to help bridge the gap between midfield and up-front.

Liverpool also come in to the game off the back of a midweek win, but have shown inconsistency in terms of league performances.

The big talking point over the past couple of weeks has been whether Mario Balotelli’s form has merited a starting place. However, by scoring in midweek to rescue Liverpool’s League Cup tie, Balotelli now has a goal behind him to try and really kick start his Reds career.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 12.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Liverpool 2 (Agger, Sturridge) Newcastle 1 (Skrtel og), Premier League, May 2014

Newcastle 2 (Cabaye, Dummett) Liverpool 2 (Gerrard, Sturridge), Premier League, October 2013

Newcastle 0 Liverpool 6 (Agger, Henderson 2, Sturridge 2, Borini), Premier League, April 2013

STATS…

In their past four meetings, Newcastle have had at least one player sent off.

You have to go back as far as February 1974 to find the last time these two shared a goalless draw.

The last three Premier League meetings between the pair has seen a total of 10 goals.

Newcastle and Liverpool have played a total of 167 times, Liverpool winning 80, Newcastle winning 47, with the remaining 40 games being drawn.

Liverpool’s goal difference is currently +1, compared to this stage last season when it was +10.

Newcastle have the fourth worst goal difference in the Premier League.

ODDS…

Newcastle to win: 3.8

Liverpool to win: 1.95

Draw: 3.6

CLASSIC MOMENT/MATCH

In April 2013 Luis Suarez had just been banned for biting Branislav Ivanovic, and Liverpool’s first game without him came at St James’ Park. Liverpool scarcely noticed the absence of Suarez that day, only to come out 6-0 winners. This was the first time Newcastle had lost by a six goal margin since 1925 when Blackburn beat them 7-1.

TV: Live on BT Sport 1 at 12.45pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm.