Newcastle Shirt Liverpool Shirt Newcastle enter the game with Liverpool on the back of only two wins in their last nine games. The Magpies have not enjoyed the best start to 2007 having already been thrown out of the FA Cup in the 3rd round by Championship side Birmingham City in an embarassing 5-1 defeat. Can they bounce back from a poor start and get their European hopes back on track with a victory over the Merseyside giants?

United suffered last week with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Fulham although the scoreline reflects rather favourably upon Newcastle as the Cottagers took control in the 2nd half. The only bright spark out of the game was another goal from Oba Martins who added his 11th of the season to his English Football collection and is definitely starting to look the part.

Liverpool will be a tough side to face. They are still fighting the front in the Premiership and the Champions League and although unlikely, still have a chance to win both. They certainly won’t lie down at St James Park and Newcastle will have their work to do to secure anything out of the game.

» Squads

Newcastle (from): Harper, Srnicek, Solano, Babayaro, Edgar, Taylor, Bramble, Onyewu, Huntington, Butt, Parker, Milner, Duff, Pattison, Troisi, Gate, Martins, Dyer, Sibierski, Luque, Carroll, LuaLua.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Agger, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Aurelio, Pennant, Gerrard, Sissoko, Zenden, Bellamy, Crouch, Kuyt, Fowler, Gonzalez, Arbeloa, Dudek.

» Injuries and Suspensions

Nolberto Solano Newcastle’s Nolberto Solano is set to regain his place at right back on Saturday after missing the past two games through supension against Aston Villa and being benched by Glenn Roeder against Fulham last Saturday afternoon.

Stephen Carr (thigh) rejoins the injury list while Emre, Shay Given, Peter Ramage, Michael Owen, Shola Ameobi, Craig Moore and Charles N’Zogbia all remained sidelined and Celestine Babayaro returns to the squad.

For Liverpool, Steven Gerrard is set to start despite receiving a niggling injury against Spain in England’s friendly mid-week. Xabi Alonso is suspended while Sissoko could return to the starting line up.

» Pre-Match Views

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder:

Glenn Roeder “A few years ago under Sir Bobby Robson, the club qualified for the Champions League. That has got to be the ultimate aim of any manager who manages this club.

“We need to be in Europe every season. I certainly understand that and when I took the job, I certainly accepted the responsibility that goes with that.

“But this season has been exceptional. I think the boys have done very, very well - the ones who have remained been fit - to have kept their nerve and motivation in the midst of such an horrific injury crisis.

“I do not know anyone in football who remembers such an horrific injury crisis. It has not just been for a month, it is now running into a fifth month, and we are still in double figures.”

Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez:

“We must remember we have been on a good winning run, so although it was disappointing to draw at home to Everton last week, we must remain confident.

“Of course the result was disappointing, but we have been playing well and we must continue that.

“Things can change very quickly at the top of the league. If we get on a run, in two or three weeks the situation could be much different from now.”

» What the Pundits Say

BBC Sport’s Mark Lawrenson:

Newcastle got through their really sticky patch and are slowly getting one or two of their players back but they had a poor performance at Fulham.

This is Liverpool’s last game before they have 10 days to prepare for their Champions League tie with Barcelona. They have a really good record against Newcastle and I think it will continue.

Prediction: 0-2

SkySports.com:

Reds can edge out Newcastle in a close game.

Prediction: 1-2
Player to watch: Craig Bellamy

» Predicted Lineup

Shay Given

Nolberto Solano
Oguchi Onyewu
Titus Bramble
Steven Taylor

James Milner
Nicky Butt
Scott Parker
Damien Duff

Obafemi Martins
Kieron Dyer

» Head2Head

In the League:

Played: 143
Newcastle Wins: 39
Draws: 37
Liverpool Wins: 67

In the FA Cup:

Played: 9
Newcastle Wins: 4
Draws: 1
Liverpool Wins: 4

In the League Cup:

Played: 2
Newcastle Wins: 1
Draws: 0
Liverpool Wins: 1

» Prediction

It’s going to be tough and I can expect a very interesting and entertaining game. Let’s hope Newcastle can put on a show for their fans. I think it’ll finish 2-2 with Martins and Dyer scoring for the Magpies