Newcastle United will travel to Athens in Greece to play Atromitos FC in the first leg of the Europa League play-off. Alan Pardew's men eased to a very welcome 2-1 win over rivals Tottenham on the opening day of the 2012/13 league season and will want to keep that streak going. Pardew is likely to field a slightly changed side from the Spurs game, given the Magpies must host Chelsea in a league game two days after playing in Greece. The Toon club enjoyed a fairytale season in the Premier League last year, finishing fifth and only narrowly missing a Champions League spot.

Newcastle Travel to Greece to Play First Leg of Europa League Qualifier
Reuters

"We are really looking forward to it. It's a new adventure for us. We've got a win, so that's going to buoy us, and I've got to hope that I get the selection right. We need to win that game, and we've got to have a team that is going to win," the Englishman said, when asked about his team's qualification to the Europa League.

Meanwhile, Newcastle's hosts will want to make a better impression in Europe than the last time they were here - the club was thrashed 1-6, over two legs, by Spanish club Sevilla, in 2006. Club manager Dusan Bajevic spoke highly of the Premier League and vowed to provide the visiting club with a good fight.

"It is a tough draw. From the first moment we were aware of our possible opponents, we knew it wouldn't be anything easy. English football is popular worldwide and has its own distinctives. We will now raise our hands high. We will try for the best with all power we have," the ex-Yugoslavian international said.

Team News and Probable Line-up

Newcastle could spring a surprise and field 17 year old striker Adam Campbell. Pardew may consider giving his fringe players and youngsters a chance to prove themselves and, in the process, rest his big stars for the Chelsea game. However, the regulars are bound to be on the bench, waiting in case the evening's result does not go according to their script. In addition, new signings Vurnon Anita, Gael Bigirimana and Romain Amalfitano could make their first starts for the club.

However, Pardew will probably miss the creative influence of French midfielder Hater Ben Arfa, who is serving a three match European ban from his time at Marseille. Key trio Fabricio Coloccini, Demba Ba and Chiekh Tiote have been left at home, to help speed recovery from minor knocks.

The hosts, meanwhile, have no injuries to report and boast former Liverpool keeper, Charles Itandje, in between the sticks.

Newcastle (4-3-3): Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Perch, Santon; Anita, Bigirimana, Amalfatino; Obertan, Campbell, Gutierrez

Atromitos (4-2-3-1): Itandje; Skondras, Fytanidis, Oikonomou, Tavlaridis; Iglesias, Ballas; Dimoutsos, Brito, Pitu; Karamanos

Where to Watch Live (all times BST):

You can catch all the action live, via paid subscription, on Premier Sports on Sky 428, from 6 pm onwards.