Newcastle vs. WBA: Match preview

After another turbulent week for Newcastle United they return to the spot where, last season they played arguably their best football all season. After a terrible performance on Sunday, Newcastle sit awfully close to the drop zone and they know that one more win may be enough to ensure Premier League status for next season.

West Brom have been likened to the 'Newcastle of this season', they have no doubt been the 12/13 campaign's surprise package and currently sit 8th in the table. A recent run of only two wins in six, has seen them lose touch with the top seven. Runaway striker Peter Odemwingie is expected to miss the game through injury, while the Hawthorn's based outfit look set to be boosted by the return of defender Liam Ridgewell. West Brom have this season made the Hawthorns a fortress and have won nine home games this season. Influential striker Romelu Lukaku has been in scintillating form all season and the loanee, looks like he could be a Premier League star for years to come.

Newcastle United face an uphill battle to get a result in this match. We have won just one match on the road all season and are currently on a run of two wins in six. This is a match in which we need a positive result, and even a draw could give up impetus to kick on for the remainder of the season. Alan Pardew has had his weekly press conference and has confirmed that Cheick Tiote and Sylvain Marveaux will both miss the game through injury. They join our injury list which currently also lists'; Haris Vuckic, Ryan Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon and Tim Krul. No one misses out through suspension. No doubt the squad will have been hit-hard by the devastating news that Ryan Taylor could potentially miss all of next season with yet another knee injury. In his presser today Alan Pardew said he thought some of the criticism aimed at him and the squad, in the wake of the defeat to neighbours Sunderland, was 'heavy handed' and the that the squad want to bounce back with a result this weekend.

Predicted Newcastle line up: Rob Elliot; Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, S.Taylor, Haïdara; Anita, Sissoko, Cabaye, Jonas; Gouffran, Cisse.

Predicted result: 2-1 to West Brom.

I think that getting a result this season at West Brom will prove to hard-a-task and that survival will be in our own hands for the remainder of the season. Howay the lads.