Following the first day of the season, Newcastle supporters were on cloud nine; a fantastic thumping win at the Reebok offered a tasty opening to the new campaign. However, a drab and lifeless long-ball fiasco had soured Geordie hearts, following the 0-0 draw at home to Villa, and all of a sudden Newcastle go into their next game, against an unconvincing Boro, with must-win intentions.

With only one win from three, and three points from nine, Gareth Southgate’s Middlesbrough side have got off to a rather disappointing start. There’s been several switches of personnel down the road; the departure of Mark Viduka saw Jeremie Aliadiere come in from Arsenal, and the imminent harsh loss of Yakubu has been extinguished somewhat thanks to the arrivals of Mido and Sanli Tuncay.

However, the playing staff at Boro are in short supply at the moment, namely in defense - with an entire backline stripped from Southgate’s notebook. Jonathan Woodgate, Emanuel Pogatetz, Robert Huth and Luke Young are all missing for them, and one would hope that the instinctive prowess of the in-form Obafemi Martins could spark a second away win of the season for the Magpies.

Anything less than a win at Middlesbrough would be very disappointing for Newcastle.

» Squads

Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Jones, Davies, Taylor, Riggott, Wheater, Hines, Boateng, Arca, Cattermole, Tuncay, Downing, Johnson, Aliadiere, Yakubu, Mido, Lee.

Newcastle (from): Harper, Forster, Carr, N’Zogbia, Rozehnal, Taylor, Ramage, Cacapa, Enrique, Solano, Milner, Geremi, Butt, Smith, Emre, Viduka, Martins, Ameobi, Owen.

» Injuries and Suspensions

Missing for Middlesbrough are the four defenders mentioned above, while impressive youngster Andrew Taylor is also a doubt for a backline start. Fabio Rochemback has returned from a suspension.

Long term casualties Damien Duff and Joey Barton are still far from fit, while Celestine Babayaro misses out once again, as does keeper Shay Given. Belozoglu Emre has returned to training following an ankle injury sustained at Reading last season, and has overcome some trouble caused in an international friendly midweek. Michael Owen is also in the squad.

» Pre-Match Views

Newcastle centre-forward Mark Viduka:

On his current form:

“Newcastle fans have yet to see the best of me but perhaps that will all change on Sunday.”

“I loved my time at Middlesbrough and if I score I won’t celebrate too much.

“But I am a Newcastle United player now and I will be focusing on trying to take the three points home.”

Boro Boss Gareth Southgate:

On the loss of Yakubu:

“We either go home and sulk or roll our sleeves up and get on with it.”

“Let’s say ‘We’ve got Newcastle on Sunday, a fantastic game, into the breech lads and go and get the win’.

“We have got lads who want that opportunity, and they are looking forward to it.”

» Predicted Lineup

I can imagine Allarcyce will stick with the formation, and probably the same team that featured at Bolton and against Villa. Let’s just hope that the long-ball method doesn’t make a second appearance in as many fixtures…

Steve Harper

Stephen Carr
Steven Taylor
David Rozehnal
Charles N’Zogbia

Alan Smith
Nicky Butt
Geremi

Obafemi Martins
Mark Viduka
James Milner

» Head2Head

In the League:

Played: 110
Newcastle Wins: 43
Draws: 32
Middlesbrough Wins: 35

» Prediction
I fancy our chances over this Boro side, providing we play the effective passing, determined football that we witnessed at the Reebok Stadium two weeks ago. Their defense is in pieces at the moment and the loss of Yakubu is a tough one. We’ll come through this one with three points, i reckon.

2-0.

Howay the Lads!