Newcastle v United
18/04/2011 11:30 , Adam Marshall
United bid to extend the lead at the top of the table to nine points on Tuesday...
Form guide
Newcastle are a model of inconsistency - after a 4-0 defeat at Stoke, Alan Pardew's side walloped Wolves 4-1 in their next outing. The Magpies have only won two of their last 12 fixtures but can go ninth with a point. United's defeat to City in the FA Cup ended a run of seven straight victories and Sir Alex Ferguson's side failed to score against domestic opponents for the first time since January 16, at Tottenham.
Ins and outs
Kevin Nolan is suspended for the Magpies but tough-tackling midfielder Cheik Tiote and James Perch are back from their bans. Shola Ameobi is expected to recover from a knee injury but there are doubts over keeper Steve Harper with Tim Krul standing by. Hatem Ben Arfa, Leon Best, Dan Gosling and former Red Alan Smith are all sidelined but Stephen Ireland is involved. Wayne Rooney returns from his two-game suspension but Paul Scholes has collected a three-match ban for his red card at Wembley. The manager is still unable to sit in the dug-out but Jonny Evans' suspension has ended and Rafael should return.
Last meeting
United ran out 3-0 winners in the first game of the season at Old Trafford. Although Andy Carroll had a good chance for the visitors, goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs proved decisive.
Top man
Cheik Tiote has been one of the signings of the season for the Tynesiders. The industrious midfielder keeps things simple with his passing but his volley against Arsenal shows he has more in his locker. Expect the Ivorian to be a major figure in Tuesday night's encounter and a difficult opponent to overcome.
Quote/unquote
"It is a fixture I genuinely believe Sir Alex will be very wary of. Maybe not so much because he fears us as a team, but because he fears the ground and the reaction it can inspire the team to." - Alan Pardew.
Any sub-plots?
Michael Owen looks set to receive a hot reception if he manages to get some game-time after leaving the North-East club when his contract expired. The former England striker hasn't returned to St James' Park since departing in 2009. The Toon Army would probably rejoice in putting a spanner in the works for the Reds after losing out in the title battle back in 1996 under Kevin Keegan.
Whistle-blower
Lee Probert takes charge of affairs - officiating a United game for the third time this season. The Gloucestershire-based referee oversaw the 7-1 battering of Blackburn in November and 1-0 FA Cup win against Crawley.
Did you know?
Returning Wayne Rooney has nine goals from 11 United games against Newcastle, including a couple of belting volleys, while Alan Pardew was part of the Crystal Palace team that faced the Reds when Sir Alex picked up his first trophy as Old Trafford boss in 1990, playing in both the FA Cup final and the replay.
Rivals watch
Arsenal bid to recover from their morale-sapping 1-1 draw with Liverpool when making the short trip to meet North London neighbours Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Wednesday. On the same night, Chelsea entertain Birmingham.
Credit: Manchester United (www.manutd.com)
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