Toon Crier: Match Day Links

It isn't the earliest start for Newcastle today, but I'm sure we'll have some groggy supporters in here nonetheless. Happy Daylight's Savings Day! Grab a cup of coffee, click on these links, and get set for another important match for the Magpies.

Here is SB Nation's preview of the match. Look at all the injuries we have.

If you prefer previews with a bit of a gambling edge to them,the Shields Gazette says go ahead and tip Newcastle to win.

Alan Pardew says that if Hatem Ben Arfa had been available all season, Newcastle wouldn't even be in the relegation discussion. HBA played for 64 minutes in the Europa League match on Thursday and is expected to play against Stoke.

Also in the line-up today: Papiss Cisse.

Rob Elliot is enjoying his time as starter. In this article, Newcastle's keeper talks about his path to the Premiership.

The Mag gives us seven reasons why Newcastle should win today.

Newcastle have gone 289 straight corners without scoring off of one. The Mag found footage of Newcastle doing so, against Stoke, 40 years ago. (40 years only SEEMS like the last time Newcastle scored off a corner.) Also fun: check out how much St. James' Park has changed since then!

Stoke City supporters are upset with how the team's played this year. Their manager says it's on him, not the players.

Anzhi's manager says Newcastle lacked passion in their 0-0 draw in Europa League play.

It was six-pointer Saturday in the Premiership. Aston Villa did their part to make a break from the drop zone with a 2-1 win over Reading.

Sounds like it was bad conditions for Norwich-Southampton, which ended in a scoreless draw when NCFC's Grant Hold had his penalty saved in stoppage time. Should Southampton stay up by a point, that will be huge.

Sunderland lost and the Great Escape might be on for QPR.

West Brom 2-1 Swansea City.

Here's the current table. The bottom three are Wigan (24 points), Reading (23) and QPR (23). Newcastle sit on 30 points, in 15th. A win today would give them nine points of breathing room.