Newcastle go into the game with AZ Alkmaar on the back of two highly disappointing results in the Premier League. The results, and the performances to match, witnessed against Wigan and Boro are hardly those that will fill the Geordie nation with confidence. In general, things do not look too promising for Newcastle, going into a game against a side who have scored 93 goals so far this season.

AZ Alkmaar boast an immense armoury in the striking department. Danny Koevermans, scorer of 20 goals this season, is partnered upfront by former Rangers hitman Shota Arveladze, who himself has poached 17 so far this term. Newcastle will hope that Titus Bramble and Steven Taylor will continue their impressive form in defense at St James’ Park on Thursday night, if they have any chance of thwarting AZ from conjuring a goalfest.

» Squads

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

AZ Alkmaar (from): Unavailable. Rogier Molhoek, Stijn Schaars, David Mendes da Silva, Joey Didulica and Khalid Sinouh are all missing.

» Injuries and Suspensions

The injury situation at Newcastle doesn’t appear to be improving a great deal: Stephen Carr, Celestine Babayaro, Peter Ramage, Craig Moore, Emre, Damien Duff, Tim Krul, Shola Ameobi and Michael Owen, all either injured or doubtful to start the match with Alkmaar.

However, Duff may be over his flu and Emre is alledgedly in contention for a place on the bench. It will be a welcome return from the Turk, as the Magpies have certainly missed his driving, attacking nature recently. Roeder has also dared to optimistically welcome Stephen Carr back into the frame. Oguchi Onyewu is ineligible.

» Pre-Match Views

Kieron Dyer:

On Newcastle’s Preparation:

“We’ll have to play better against Alkmaar on Thursday but they will come out trying to get an away goal. In European football an away goal is very important. If we were to draw 0-0 some people might think it’s a bad result, but with our away record in Europe who knows what we can do out there.

“When I look at the last 16 of the UEFA Cup it’s like the last two times we’ve been in the competition and reached the semi and quarter-finals. We seem to be doing extremely well, especially away from home, which we haven’t been able to do in the Premiership.

“I think it will suit us playing Alkmaar at home first. They like to play open, attacking football. Hopefully it will be an open game. If we can keep a clean sheet it will set us up perfectly for the second leg over there. Away goals are very important in this format and we are capable of scoring over there.”

» Predicted Lineup

Shay Given

Nolberto Solano
Steven Taylor
Titus Bramble
Paul Huntington

James Milner
Scott Parker
Nicky Butt
Charles N’Zogbia

Obafemi Martins
Kieron Dyer

» Head2Head
Although Newcastle and Alkmaar have never faced each other in competetive action, i have compiled an archive of matches against all Dutch opposition. Newcastle’s first ever match in European competition came against a Dutch side, as they brushed Feyenoord aside on a special night at St James’ Park. Davies, Gibb, Robson and Scott scored that night as the Toon pummelled their counterparts by 4 goals to nil.

1968/69 Fairs Cup. Feyenoord (H). Won 4-0.
1968/69 Fairs Cup. Feyenoord (A). Lost 0-2.

1997/98 Champions League. PSV Eindhoven (A). Lost 0-1.
1997/98 Champions League. PSV Eindhoven (H). Lost 0-2.

2002/03 Champions League. Feyenoord (H). Lost 0-1.
2002/03 Champions League. Feyenoord (A). Won 3-2.

2003/04 UEFA Cup. NAC Breda (H). Won 5-0.
2003/04 UEFA Cup. NAC Breda (A). Won 1-0.

2003/04 UEFA Cup. PSV Eindhoven (A). Drew 1-1.
2003/04 UEFA Cup. PSV Eindhoven (H). Won 2-1.

2004/05 UEFA Cup. Heerenveen (A). Won 2-1.
2004/05 UEFA Cup. Heerenveen (H). Won 2-1.

The history certainly makes for indifferent reading. However, in recent seasons, our record has been creditable, having lost only one of our last eight games against Dutch opposition. Nevertheless, versus an incredibly strong AZ side, i feel that a couple of classic performanes - a la Feyenoord 3-2 - is the minimum level that we need to overcome these opponents.

» Prediction

Unfortunately, my head is telling me that AZ simply have too much firepower for us to overcome them. In one of my prior articles, I stated that this side was one of my favourites to win the competition. Now that we face them, my opinion hasn’t changed. It will take a mammoth performance to win through this tie. Nevertheless, we’ve been strong in the cup and we often raise our game against the bigger sides.

I’m going to sit on the fence and say 1-1 at St James’ Park on Thursday.

Howay the Lads!