Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion: Where to Watch, Preview and Teams

Newcastle United will be keen to pick up all three points when they welcome West Bromwich Albion to St James' Park.

Newcastle's domestic form this season has provoked criticism from fans but manager Alan Pardew will be hoping that the Magpies can turn it around after their 1-0 win over Club Brugge in the Europa League in midweek. Gabriel Obertan's goal was the difference between the two sides as the former Manchester United winger helped the Toon leapfrog to the top of the group, a win away from securing qualification to the knock-out stages.

Meanwhile, West Brom, who have had a splendid start to their season, will be looking to bounce back from their defeat against Manchester City last week, where the Baggies failed to hold on to their lead with the champions down to 10 men.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 3pm GMT. Highlights of the game are on Match of the Day 2 on BBC One at 10.25pm.

Overview

Newcastle showed glimpses of last season's form against Sunderland last week but were undone by a shoddy tackle from Cheick Tiote on Steven Fletcher, which earned him a red card. However, Pardew will be pleased that the club's midfield is starting to gel as a unit. Their performance against Sunderland, even when down to ten men, should inspire confidence among fans, who recently witnessed a 0-3 drubbing at home by Manchester United. A win will take the Magpies to tenth position in the league and up to 13 points, just two behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

West Brom, who currently sit just one point below fourth place, have been buoyed by the introduction of Steve Clarke at the helm, after the club's previous manager Roy Hodgson was handed the responsibility of marshalling the England national squad in the summer. Clarke has done a wonderful job so far, keeping three clean sheets out of five matches at the Hawthorns and also scoring nine goals in the process. The team had the best home record in the league this term but were undone by two late goals from City marksman Edin Dzeko last week.

Form Guide

Newcastle United

• Last five (most recent first): W D W L D
• Last result: Newcastle United 1 -0 Club Brugge

West Bromwich Albion

• Last five (most recent first): L W D L W
• Last result: West Bromwich Albion 1 - 2 Manchester City

Team News

Newcastle United: Pardew will be bolstered by having a near full-strength squad at his disposal for the first time this season, with the exception of Tiote, who is suspended for his red card offence. Tim Krul and Fabricio Collocini are both expected to start for the Toon, after spending much of the season on the treatment table. However, Ryan Taylor, Dan Gosling, Rob Elliot and Haris Vuckic remain sidelined.

West Bromwich Albion: Clarke has been undone by a series of injuries to the Baggies' key players, with Steven Reid and Boaz Myhill out of this clash. Jerome Thomas, who is suffering from a bout of illness, faces a late fitness test, while Chris Brunt and Billy Jones are both doubtful.

Possible Starting Line-ups

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Krul; Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, Santon; Ben Arfa, Anita, Cabaye, Gutierrez; Cisse, Ba

West Bromwich Albion (4-2-3-1): Foster; Tamas, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Yacob, Mulumbu; Fortune, Morrison, Odemwingie; Lukaku