Newcastle v Stoke - Preview
So, we're up to game number 11 in the Premier League this season, nearly a third of it gone already!!
The calamity of last week is gone but certainly still felt around SJP, but a home game against 14th placed Stoke comes at a good time many feel.
Historically, games v the Potters have been inconsistent in result. The Mags have no win in their last 3, with their last 3 points coming in the 5-1, 9-man thrashing way back on Boxing Day 2013.
It's 4 wins in 12 for NUFC against Stoke in the Premier League in total, but just one defeat overall in 12 at St James' Park and 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat at home in the new top division.
This season, Hughes' boys have only succumb to one loss in their last 7, 5 of which have been wins, 3 of those in the league.
Their dangerman is without question their surprise talismanic signing Xherdan Shaqiri who amasses 1.9 created chances per game on average, the most of any other Stoke player, as well as 1.3 crosses, again the most.
Jonathan Walters is always a thorn in the Magpies' nest - he puts together a second-best 1.5 chances per game, but only against Liverpool & QPR (5) has he scored more goals than against Newcastle United - 4.
The Toon have their own 'talismen' at the moment though and much will be decided on Saturday with the performances of Gini Wijnaldum and Moussa Sissoko. The former's 6 goals from midfielder and the latter's 4 assists prove that the duo can make things happen in this league but consistency is the key with these two.
Alexandar Mitrovic has been a very mixed bag since his arrival, but he has shown he possesses the ability to shake up any defence and his temperament will be tested by Cameron and Wollscheid, should they play again.
Ayoze Perez has begun to chip in with the odd goal again - having Mitrovic playing so high allows the electric Spaniard to work his magic in between the defence and midfield lines, and 'experienced' duo Charlie Adam and Glenn Whelan will have their work cut out tracking his runs and trying to pinch the play from him.
Arnautovic generally plays well against NUFC, so Daryl Janmaat will need to keep his cool and pull out a good performance to keep the Austrian at bay, but the main worry will be the performances of Paul Dummett up against Shaqiri as well the competency of whoever plays centre midfielder for Newcastle up against the very mobile and tricky Bojan - he isn't the kind of player that Cheick Tiote needs right now!
All in all, this one will probably end up being a tight affair, but as long as the Mags keep 11 players on the field, I see them nicking it 2-1.
Probable XI:
Elliot • Janmaat Mbemba Coloccini (c) Dummett • Sissoko Tiote Anita Wijnaldum • Perez Mitrovic
