Norwich City v Newcastle United, Premier League: Preview and Probable Teams

Norwich host Newcastle at Carrow Road, in a battle between two teams looking to end a four-match losing streak in the Premier League. The Canaries will have a measure of confidence after a 3-0 midweek win over Championship club Peterborough United in the third round of the FA Cup. The Magpies couldn't even manage that; Brighton & Hove Albion ran out 2-0 winners against Alan Pardew's men at the Amex Stadium.

Newcastle beat Norwich 1-0 at St James' Park earlier this season, with Senegalese Demba Ba scoring the winning goal. Unfortunately for the Tyneside club, the African is no longer with them. Ba signed for European champions Chelsea earlier in the month.

Where to Follow

Kick-off is set for 3pm GMT. Live radio commentary is available on BBC Newcastle. Catch highlights of the action on Match of the Day on BBC One and BBC One HD at 10.25pm GMT.

Overview

Chris Hughton's men are reasonably comfortably placed in the Premier League, with 25 points from 21 games so far. They have a healthy seven point gap to Wigan Athletic and the relegation zone. However, recent results have been poor and unless the club can improve drastically, it is likely to be a long haul to the end of the season.

The club comes into this game on the back of that win over the Posh but it is a different story in the league. Norwich have not won since a mid-December home win against the Latics and have not kept a clean sheet since the surprising 1-0 home win over Manchester United back in mid-November. Their last league game was a 2-1 defeat at Upton Park.

Newcastle have long since (or should have long since) abandoned aspirations of a top five finish to the season. The St James' Park club, which fancied Champions League football last year, is struggling with only 20 points from 21 games and a rapidly shrinking gap to the relegation zone.

As if the forced sale of Ba were not bad enough, news that Argentine defender Fabricio Coloccini has asked to be transfer-listed could well set the seal on the Magpies' relegation. The 30-year-old former AC Milan centre-back is an integral part of the back line and the club's captain.

Newcastle's recent results have been in keeping with the air of gloom at St James' Park. The club has won only twice in the last 10 games; the remaining eight have all been lost. And they have suffered some terrible defeats. Arsenal hammered them 7-3 and both Manchester clubs put four past Pardew's men. All in all, they've conceded 15 goals in the last four games. The last game they played was the poor defeat to Brighton.

Norwich have been good at home, with five wins and only three defeats from 10 games. Goals have been at a premium with an average of just over a goal per game unlikely to trouble visitors from the top half of the table. Newcastle, though, are not in the top half and with good reason. The club has shipped 25 goals in 10 away games.

The maths are simple. Expect the hosts to put a couple of goals past Tim Krul in the Magpies' goal. With Newcastle's return of 14 goals in 10 away games, Norwich will fancy winning this game, particularly since Ba is no longer a factor.

Team Form

Norwich City

• Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W L L L L
• Last Match: Peterborough United 0 - 3 Norwich City

Newcastle United

• Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L L L L W
• Last Match: Brighton & Hove Albion 2 - 0 Newcastle United

Team News

The Canaries are still without first choice goalkeeper John Ruddy (hip) so Mark Bunn continues to start. Defender Steven Whittaker and winger Andrew Surman (hip) are still working to get match-fit and may not play this match. Steve Morrison (thigh) is another who might miss the Magpies' visit.

The good news is midfielder Bradley Johnson will be available after his suspension and last seaon's leading goal scorer, Grant Holt (hamstring) also moves closer to a re-appearance following suspension. Midfielder Jonny Howson faces a late fitness test.

Probable Line-Up: Bunn; R Martin, Bassong, Turner, R Bennett; Snodgrass, Tettey, Howson, Pilkiington; Hoolahan; Holt

Newcastle have a number of injury concerns. French midfielders Yohan Cabaye (groin) and Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring) are unavailable. Steven Taylor (hamstring) and Ryan Taylor (knee) are also not expected to play. Striker Shola Ameobi serves a one-match ban, leaving Senegalese Papiss Cisse (hip), if he is fit, as the sole striker.

Defender James Perch (knee) faces a late fitness test and Coloccini (hamstring) joins the list of players possibly injured. Former Manchester United youngster Danny Simpson (toe) may not be fit till next week and Argentine winger Jonas Gutierrez (knee) faces a few late tests. Long-term absentees include Dan Gosling (knee) and Haris Vuckic (ACL). Expect new signing Mathieu Debuchy to start the game.

Probable Line-Up: Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon; Anita, Marveaux, Tiote; Obertan, Cisse, Sammy Ameobi