EDDIE HOWE will be desperate for a first win as Newcastle manager as his side host fellow strugglers Norwich City.
The Magpies can move above the Canaries into 19th with a win, and begin to claw back a six-point deficit to safety.
But Norwich are in good form, having gone three unbeaten.
Daniel Farke started the run with a 2-1 win at Brentford, only to get the axe the following day.
Since then replacement Dean Smith has picked up a credible four points from home games against Southampton and Wolves.
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- Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar, Clark, Lewis, Fraser, Shelvey, Willock, Saint-Maximin, Wilson & Joelinton.
- Norwich XI: Krul, Aarons, Gibson, Hanley, Williams, Rupp, Sargent, Gilmour, McLean, Tzolis & Pukki.
- Alex Cole
SHEARER'S KEY
Alan Shearer discusses Newcastle's system under Eddie Howe.
Norwich will look to exploit the back four of Newcastle this evening.
The Canaries are also pressing more under Dean Smith and it'll be interesting to see what the intensity of the two teams is like tonight.
Expect a few chances at each end I reckon…
- Alex Cole
It'd be great psychologically to get the win in the first game of the Premier League slate.
We know it'll be hard though, against a partisan crowd.
Dean SmithAmazon Prime Football
- Alex Cole
CALLUM WILSON CAPTAIN
Wilson named captain tonight in the absence of Jamal Lascelles.
Captain Wilson for Newcastle tonightCredit: Getty
- Alex Cole
NEWCASTLE LINE UP
And the hosts…
Suspensions for Matt Ritchie and captain Jamaal Lascelles after both picking up a booking during the 2-0 loss at Arsenal. Two big losses from the Newcastle starting XI.
Paul Dummett’s continued injury sees him out the squad.
However, there is good news for Dwight Gayle as he is back on the bench, returning from a hamstring injury.
Jamal Lewis comes in against his old club. He’s in for Ritchie at full-back.
Emil Krafth has been benched after the game at Arsenal so Javier Manquillo replaces him.
Ciaran Clark comes in for Lascelles at CB with Schar.
- Alex Cole
NORWICH LINE UP
Let's start with the visitors.
Norwich City midfielder Mathias Normann will not be involved in the squad that travels to Newcastle for Tuesday night’s Premier League fixture.
The Norwegian was forced off during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers due to a pelvic injury.
Christoph Zimmermann remains out with a hamstring injury.
Todd Cantwell hasn’t travelled with the team due to a ‘Covid-related issue’.
Only two changes to the starting XI from Wolves at the weekend.
The aforementioned Normann is injured so Lukas Rupp comes in for him in the middle.
Rupp replaced Normann off the bench on Saturday and was extremely bright.
Christos Tzolis comes in on the wing for Milo Rashica, who is out with a groin injury.
- Alex Cole
NEWCASTLE'S FORM
The Toon Army come into this game knowing how important it is.
Eddie Howe also came in during the international break but had to miss his first game due to Covid isolation.
Although this wasn't ideal, a new look attacking Newcastle team came out swinging at St James Park against Brentford and saw out an entertaining 3-3 draw.
Unfortunately, this was followed up by a 2-0 loss away at Arsenal in the first gamewith Howe physically on the touchline.
With an overall record of 0-6-7, this could be the Magpies first victory of the season.
LAST 5
- Alex Cole
NORWICH'S FORM
Norwich come into the game on good form. They snatched a victory away at Brentford in Daniel Farke’s last game before the international break.
But then Farke was sacked immediately afterwards.
Dean Smith was then announced as the new gaffer only a few days after being let go by Aston Villa.
Norwich’s hot spell has continued under Smith and the fans saw a home win against Southampton.
The players have been playing with a renewed enthusiasm and tenacity under Smith.
The Canaries got another valuable point at Carrow Road against Wolves on Saturday.
Despite the 0-0 score line, it was an entertaining game and Norwich had the best of the chances by far.
LAST 5
- Alex Cole
THE BUILD UP
Welcome to this evening's live blog with Sun Sport.
And what a CRUCIAL one we have for you tonight.
This is a cup final. This is a six-pointer. A relegation battle. A huge game.
A win here for either team could dictate the rest of their season.
Newcastle are SIX points behind safety and a loss today would leave them languishing at the bottom.
It is vital they get points on the board to help lure players in the January transfer window.
The influx of money from the new ownership could be useless if they can’t draw match winners through the door in January.
Norwich could climb to level points with Leeds with a win tonight.
It would take a 12-0 win to get them out of the relegation zone but it’ll be a big step to safety.
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