Stoke v Newcastle

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Britannia Stadium Date: Saturday, 19 March Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Watch highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

TEAM NEWS

Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is expected to return to the starting line-up after being rested in the Potters’ FA Cup win against West Ham.

Striker John Carew is unlikely to play because of a back problem.

Newcastle will give a late fitness test to midfielder Joey Barton, who has returned to training after missing the last two games with a thigh injury.

Jose Enrique is likely to miss out with a hamstring problem, while Jonas Gutierrez is nursing a similar injury.

Stoke

Doubtful: Carew (back), Faye (hamstring)

Injured: Sidibe (Achilles)

Newcastle

Suspended: R Taylor (two matches)

Doubtful: Barton (thigh), Enrique & Gutierrrez (both hamstring)

Injured: Ben Arfa (broken leg), Gosling (knee), Guthrie (hamstring), Ireland (thigh), Smith (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

Rightly or wrongly, Stoke have earned a reputation for their physical, muscular approach to the game, but the club this week demonstrated a sensitive side. Chairman Peter Coates hit out at “lazy” journalists who criticise the Potters’ tactics, insisting his side do play exciting football despite their reliance on set-piece goals.

There’s a load of garbage talked about us and it’s just lazy journalism. I don’t think we want everyone to play like Arsenal, we’d be bored to death Stoke chairman Peter Coates

There was certainly no lack of action at the Britannia last weekend, when goals from defensive duo Robert Huth and Danny Higginbotham took Stoke through to their first FA Cup semi-final for 39 years. Bolton will await at Wembley next month, but in the meantime Stoke have to focus on Premier League survival.

Like Newcastle, the Potters begin the weekend in mid-table but with little breathing space above the relegation zone. Stoke have claimed only four points from a possible 21, but tellingly five of those seven games were away from home. Tony Pulis’s side are an entirely different proposition at the Britannia Stadium.

Newcastle have drawn too many matches since the turn of the year, but a relatively gentle run-in suggests Alan Pardew’s men should secure safety sooner rather than later. Six of their remaining eight matches are against sides in the bottom half.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• According to Opta statistics, Stoke registered only one shot on target when they won 2-1 at Newcastle on 26 September last year. The winner came from a James Perch own goal.

• The Potters are now chasing a first league double against the Magpies since the 1970/71 season.

Stoke

• The Potters have lost their last six away league games but they are unbeaten at home in 2011.

• They have won three of the four top-flight matches at the Britannia Stadium since the turn of the year, with only a late Carlos Vela equaliser denying them a fourth successive home victory against West Brom on 28 February.

• Stoke have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven league games.

• They have played 44% of passes into the final third of the pitch, the highest figure in the top flight this season (Opta).

• If selected, Andy Wilkinson will be making his 100th league appearance in Stoke colours.

Newcastle

• The Magpies have won only one of their last nine games in league and cup (against Birmingham on 15 February).

• They have drawn five of their last eight matches, and have lost only twice in the league in 2011.

• Leon Best has scored three times in his last five games for Newcastle.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Stoke

Huth: 8 goals (6 league); Jones: 7 goals (5 league);
Walters: 7 goals (3 league)

Newcastle

Nolan: 11 goals (11 league); Ameobi: 7 goals (4 league)

NB. Carroll scored 11 goals (11 league) for Newcastle

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Lee Mason

Assistant referees: Patrick Keane & Andy Newbold

Fourth official: Mark Halsey

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Stoke (L0-3 v West Ham, a): Begovic; Wilson, Huth, Shawcross, Pugh, Pennant (Etherington 51), Delap (Jones 68), Whitehead, Whelan, Walters, Carew (Fuller 65). Subs not used: Sorensen, Collins, Diao, Wilkinson.

Newcastle (L1-2 v Everton, h): Harper; S Taylor (Ferguson 65), Williamson, Coloccini, Enrique (Ameobi 43), Simpson, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Kuqi 85), Lovenkrands. Subs not used: Krul, Guthrie, Perch, Richardson.