Here are how Newcastle United and Cardiff City will line up for this afternoon’s Premier League game at St. James’ Park…
Newcastle United starting XI: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett; Sissoko, Anita, Tiote, Gouffran; Shola Ameobi, Remy.
Subs: Elliot, Yanga-Mbiwa, Haidara, S.Taylor, Gosling, Armstrong, de Jong.
Cardiff City starting XI: Marshall; Fabio, Caulker, Turner, John; Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Kim, Mutch, Zaha; Campbell.
Subs: Lewis; Jones, Eikrem, Cowie, McNaughton, Berget, Bellamy.
Both sides are in need of three points today – but for different reasons as the Bluebirds travel to Tyneside this afternoon.
Alan Pardew’s Magpies have endured a shocking run of six consecutive defeats, and with the pressure building on the beleaguered Newcastle boss, he will be desperate for a win.
With Stoke City and Crystal Palace closing in on Newcastle, a top ten finish is far from guaranteed and a win over Ole gunner Solskjaer’s Cardiff today would go a long way to calming the tensions in the North East.
But Cardiff, who are rooted to the bottom of the table, have to pick up points to stand any chance of surviving. Last weekend’s defeat to Sunderland has all but consigned them to relegation, but a win today would boost their hopes again.
After all, Cardiff have already won at St. James’ Park this season after a 2-1 FA Cup victory – and a repeat could be on the cards after Newcastle’s terrible recent results.
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