Newcastle face 18th placed Burnley at St James’ Park on Saturday in a must-win game for Howe’s side if they’re to retain their Premier League status come the end of the season.

The Magpies are still without a win and head into yet another crucial game tomorrow afternoon – 3pm Kick-Off.

Burnley head to Tyneside off the back of the well-fought draw at Molineux on Wednesday evening and are unbeaten in their previous five Premier League encounters. They have collected seven points in that period, drawing four and winning one – their first victory of the campaign, a 3-1 success over Brentford.

This will be Burnley’s second visit to Tyneside this season, following their penalty shootout success in the first round of the League Cup back in August. The two sides also played a behind closed doors friendly in which the Clarets came out 1-0 winners during pre-season.

Eddie Howe faces his old team on the eleventh occasion since his departure and won just twice with Bournemouth when facing the Clarets.

Newcastle are without Cieran Clark who faces a three-game suspension following his brainless defending in the clash with the Canaries on Tuesday evening – a blessing in disguise.

It’s likely Jamaal Lascelles will return to the back four, with many fans hoping that Federico Fernandez gets a place from the start.

The disappointing draw with Norwich was yet another second-rate performance from Howe’s side who have been woeful defensively in the majority of games this season. There’s still six games until the January transfer and any points Newcastle can pick up in that period would be a bonus.

The team from Tyneside are expected to bring in major reinforcements but need some much-needed momentum before they spend big in the coming weeks.

The Magpies have scored sixteen goals at the correct end of the pitch which isn’t something to be sniffed at. However, with a league-high 30 conceded – 17 of which have come at St James’ Park – defensive mistakes have plagued their season.

The home side may find hope in their recent goalscoring form and with Burnley’s poor away form this campaign, will feel they must claim a victory in their battle for survival.

Dyche’s side have had an extra rest after their battle against Tottenham Hotspur was postponed last weekend. This certainly helped them in midweek, but they’re winless in eight on the road Premier League and face a Newcastle side who are desperate to claim their first victory.

FORM

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• Burnley are winless in their last eight league games at St. James’ Park with their last win coming in April 1976.
• The hosts have conceded 30 goals in the Premier League this season, two more than the second worst defense.
• Burnley have drawn their last three Premier League away games, keeping one clean sheet and scoring three goals.

TEAM NEWS

Matt Ritchie and Jamal Lascelles return to the match-day squad after serving their one-game suspensions as their side failed to beat fellow strugglers Norwich in midweek. Ciaran Clark saw red after just eight minutes in the battle with the Canaries and will miss the next three games as a result.

Ryan Fraser should be good to go again after being sacrificed for an extra body in defence against Norwich, with Miguel Almiron struggling to force his way into the starting eleven.

Joelinton claimed the man-of-the-match award last time out and will be looking to emulate his level of performance against the Clarets on Saturday.

Howe reverted to a back four last time out and will be hoping his side can get on the front foot and attack the visitors from the outset. His 4-4-2 system allows the midfielders to break the lines more often and hopefully provide a number of opportunities for the men up top.

As for Burnley, James Tarkowski and Ashley Westwood both return from bans, with Nathan Collins and Jack Cork likely to make way.

Phil Bardsley is likely to miss out with a niggling injury, while Ashley Barnes and Dale Stephens (COVID) are doubts for the clash at SJP.

Jay Rodriguez could come into contention for a start up top alongside Chris Wood, with Maxwel Cornet shifted out wide. Johann Berg Gudmundsson is expected to drop out.

PREDICTED LINE-UPS

NUFC:        

Burnley:

Eddie Howe:

“Tuesday was an amazing experience and everything I hoped it would be. I thought they supported us in a moment where we really needed them. I think they really galvanised the team and I can’t thank them enough for what they did for me, personally.”

He added:

“We’ve created a leadership group within the squad and allowed them to really influence the group. Callum is one of those guys that the players really respect. It was a pleasure to give him the armband and I thought he led the team really well.”

“We’re going to have to do it the hard way, but we’re more than capable.”

Pre-match thoughts? Score predictions?

Will Newcastle claim their first win of the season? Can Howe’s side avoid relegation?

Join in the conversation and have your say…