Newcastle take a relatively slender 4-2 lead over to Holland, where they face one of the deadliest home sharpshooters on the continent. Hostile and nerveracking, the 17,000 capacity DSB Stadium plays host to AZ Alkmaar and their opponents, as the Dutch attempt to claw a way back into the tie, and ultimately the quarter-finals.

In spite of an encouraging performance from the Magpies at St James’ Park, complacency is absolutely unacceptable, as they go into a game against a side who have pummelled in over 100 goals so far this season. Danny Koevermans and Shota Arveladze, the two respective top scorers of AZ, already demonstrated their predatory instinct last week, and with 17,000 boisterous Dutch fans behind them, they have every right to be confident.

Alkmaar boast an impressive European record, having never lost a competetive game on home soil - a run that stretches all the way back to 1977. They kicked off their first ever European campaign in that year, initially with a game against Luxembourgish giants Differdange, who they squeezed past by only 11 goals to nil on home soil. Back then they were playing in their 9,000 capacity stadium, Alkmaaderhout.

And, considering that they smashed in 8 goals against our former UEFA Cup foes NAC Breda, things do not appear to be that different, despite a stadium change.

Nevertheless, some encouraging, and largely surprising, defensive performance from messrs Carr and Bramble have re-ignited some confidence into the United backline, as they attempt to halt the brutal Dutch attackers.

» Squads

AZ Alkmaar (from):

Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Srnicek, Bramble, Edgar, Moore, Solano, Butt, Parker, Dyer, Pattison, Emre, N’Zogbia, Duff, Martins, Luque, Sibierski, Carroll, Troisi, Milner, Carr, Taylor, Huntington.

» Injuries and Suspensions

Carr, Taylor and Huntington are slight injuries worries, who trained by themselves on Wednesday. Craig Moore has been found and has returned to the squad, although he is not expected to feature in Thursday night’s game. Steve from Kalgoorlie-Bouldar was rewarded $25,000 for Moore’s capture.

Babayaro, Ramage, Ameobi and Owen are all ruled out, while Oguchi Onyewu is ineligible.

» Pre-Match Views

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder:

On Newcastle Preparation:

“It is a game of football. We will attack the game as we did in the first leg. We are not a deep which will drop deep and allow AZ to have easy possession, because if we do that, we will build their confidence. We will press the ball and try to break up their passing movement, which is very, very good.”

On Something Bizarre:

“We do not fear anything. I do not see why there is anything to fear. I have always found fear to be a useless emotion, i do not see why human beings suffer from it. “

At which point, the interviewer removed the cushion from his face.

AZ boss Louis Van Gaal:

On his squad:

“On Thursday, we expect to have all of our players at their best.”

» Predicted Lineup

Shay Given

Nolberto Solano
Titus Bramble
Steven Taylor
Stephen Carr

Kieron Dyer
Scott Parker
Nicky Butt
Damien Duff

Obafemi Martins
Antoine Sibierski

» Head2Head

The 4-2 scoreline was the result of Newcastle and Alkmaar’s first ever game.

» Prediction

I’m actually fairly confident that we can pull through this. Their defense was so crooked, all i think it will take is a sturdy performance from Taylor and Bramble to help us win through, beause i firmly believe that we can catch them on the break. However, if our defense resorts to Newcastle-defense-ness, we’ll fail. It’s touch and go, but i think we’ll do it.

1-1. Sibierski.

Howay the Lads!