Newcastle v Blackpool - Match Preview

Last updated : 10 September 2010 By INOIT

Newcastle's Sol Campbell has proved his fitness in two outings for the reserves so he could make his debut.Other new signings Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheik Tiote are also likely to be involved, and Andy Carroll is expected to be fit after a minor ankle injury.

Blackpool have options in attack as Marlon Harewood is fit and they can also call on new recruits DJ Campbell and Matt Phillips.

Keith Southern could make a remarkably quick comeback from a knee injury.

Newcastle

Suspended: Xisco (three matches)

Injured: Best & Simpson (both ankle), Gosling & Guthrie (both knee), S Taylor (shoulder)

Blackpool

Doubtful: Southern (knee)

Injured: Almond (shoulder), Baptiste (hand), Clarke & Rachubka (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

These two promoted sides have had remarkably similar starts to the season: one thumping victory, a hard-fought draw and a brutal lesson at how tough the Premier League can be at one of the so-called 'big four'.

What we've tried to do over a period of time is manage the expectations, and that's the case against Blackpool

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton

But both managers will be delighted with their haul of four points after three matches, although Magpies boss Chris Hughton has been stressing the need to "manage expectations".

Blackpool were humbled 4-1 by Newcastle at St James' Park in April in the Championship, but they were one of only four teams who managed to beat the Geordies in the league last season. That victory was such a high for the club at the time that they released a DVD of it.

But now they are back in the big time, and if evidence was needed of how far they've come look no further than their tour of Latvia during the international break, which was taken at the behest of club president Valery Belokon.

Their newly-acquired Premier League status afforded them VIP treatment; then opened an Olympic Sports Stadium infront of the Latvian president live on prime-time TV, and were then guests of honour at the national team's match with Croatia.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• This is the 60th meeting between the sides; Newcastle have won 26, Blackpool 25 and there have been eight draws.

• This is their first meeting in top-flight football since the 1970-71 season when Blackpool won 2-1 at St James' Park.

• Newcastle thrashed Blackpool 4-1 at St James' Park in April, but Blackpool beat the Geordies at Bloomfield Road in their other Championship encounter last season.

Have your say on this match

Newcastle

• Newcastle United have hit the target with 65 per cent of their shots this season, which is the highest in the Premier League.

• Newcastle and Bolton are the only two sides to name the same starting XI in all three games in the league this season.

• It is 26 games since Newcastle last lost a league or cup game at home, against Fulham in May 2009.

• Newcastle have allowed their opponents just five shots on target against them, fewer than any other side in the top flight this season.

Blackpool

• Blackpool have allowed their opponents more shots on target against them than any other side (22).

• The Seasiders' first four games of the season have produced 21 goals.

• Striker Marlon Harewood scored five goals in 15 appearances for Newcastle at the start of last season.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Newcastle

Carroll: 4 goals (4 league); Nolan: 2 goals (2 league)

Blackpool

Harewood: 2 goals (2 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Lee Mason

Assistant referees: Patrick Keane & David Richardson

Fourth official: Mike Dean

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Newcastle (D1-1 v Wolves, a): Harper; Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Enrique, Routledge, Smith, Barton, Gutierrez, Nolan, Carroll (Ameobi 81). Subs not used: Krul, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Kadar, Vuckic, Ranger

Blackpool (D2-2 v Fulham, h): Gilks; Baptiste, Cathcart, Evatt (Eardley 64), Crainey, Vaughan, Taylor-Fletcher, Adam, Grandin, Varney, Ormerod. Subs not used: Halstead, Basham, Euell, Sylvestre, Demontagnac, Keinan

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport