Alan Pardew takes his men to Russia as Newcastle United take on Anzhi Makhachkala in the first leg of the Round of 16 for this season's UEFA Europa League. The match will be played at the Dynamo Stadium, on Thursday.

Sylvain Marveaux
Reuters

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 5pm GMT. Live coverage of the game will be available on ITV 4.

Overview

Guus Hiddink's side progressed to this round of the Europa League after defeating Bundesliga club Hannover 4-2 on aggregate. Anzhi now host the Premier League club first, with the return leg to be played a week later in England.

The Russians have not lost a home game in European competition this season and this includes a win against Liverpool in the group stages. In addition, Anzhi have only lost twice in the tournament - against Young Boys and the Reds, in the group stages. In the domestic competition, Hiddink's side are second in the Russian Premier League table with 41 points from 19 games. They trail league leaders CSKA Moscow by two points.

The Magpies progressed to the last 16 of the Europa League after just barely scraping past Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv. The first leg, at St James' Park, ended in a goalless draw and it was only a late penalty by Shola Ameobi that gave the visitors a win in the second leg. Pardew will know that despite recording his first away win of the European season, he will have to improve Newcastle's overall performance by a considerable margin to progress any further in this tournament.

Newcastle come into this game after a league reversal; they were beaten 1-0 by Swansea City at Liberty Stadium. Pardew's men are 15th in the Premier Leaguee with 30 points from 28 games. An away goal for the Tyneside club could be crucial for the return at St James' Park.

Alan Pardew
Reuters

Team Form

Anzhi Makhachkala

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): D W D L W
  • Last Result: Hannover 96 1 - 1 Anzhi Makhachkala

Newcastle United

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L W W D L
  • Last Result: Swansea City 1 - 0 Newcastle United

Team News

Samuel Eto'o
Reuters

Hiddink has no selection concerns for the midweek Europa League fixture as he has his entire squad available. Former Real Madrid star Lassana Diarra, the goal scorer against Hannover 96, ex-Barcelona and Inter Milan star Samuel Eto'o and January signing Willian are all likely to start for Anzhi.

Probable Line-Up: Gabulov; Eshchenko, Carlos, Ewerton, Zhirkov; Akhmedov, Diarra; Boussoufa, Jucilei, Willian; Eto'o

Newcastle have a few injury worries. Pardew will be without skipper Fabricio Coloccini in the back four while Senegalese international Papiss Cisse has not been named in the squad. This means Shola Ameobi is likely to lead the Magpies' attacking line. Ryan Taylor and Dutch stopper Tim Krul are also set to miss the game against the Russian club. The good news is French midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa may make a comeback.

Probable Line-Up: Elliot; Perch, Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon; Anita, Cabaye; Marveaux, Sissoko, Gutiérrez; Shola Ameobi

Russia Real Madrid