Newcastle v Norwich preview: Steve McClaren's men target first win
Sunday 18 October 2015 15:15, UK
Newcastle host Norwich on Super Sunday as they continue their search for their first Premier League win of the season.
The Magpies went into the international break off the back of a 6-1 hammering at the hands of Manchester City, and they have been rocked by a season-ending injury to Tim Krul while on Netherlands duty.
Newcastle have a derby clash to look forward to next week, and Steve McClaren will be desperate to go into such a big fixture without the added pressure of having failed to win at all this term.
Norwich, meanwhile, had a run of three games unbeaten ended by Leicester last time out, and are entering a tough period with three of their next four matches coming on the road.
Team news
Krul ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament so will not feature for Newcastle again this season, while Rolando Aarons (calf), Gabriel Obertan (hamstring) and Emmanuel Riviere (knee) are among those remaining on the sidelines.
McClaren has, however, been boosted by the return to training of defenders Daryl Janmaat, Massadio Haidara and Paul Dummett and midfielder Jack Colback.
Norwich playmaker Wes Hoolahan has shrugged off a heel problem picked up during the home defeat by Leicester, while striker Gary Hooper has resumed training after his ankle injury.
Manager Alex Neil also confirmed he will not rush Youssuf Mulumbu in for his Canaries debut, with the midfielder still recovering from a broken metatarsal.
Opta stats
The Magpies are unbeaten in five Premier League meetings with Norwich (W3 D2), keeping four clean sheets in the process.
Norwich have never won at St James Park in the Premier League (D1 L5); only at Old Trafford have they played more often without winning (D1 L6).
Only David Silva (6) has more Premier League assists this season than Norwich's Wes Hoolahan (5).
Steve McClaren is now without a win in 12 Premier League games (D5 L7), including spells at Middlesbrough and Newcastle.
Newcastle United have won just one of their last 19 Premier League games (D4 L14).
The Magpies have lost a league-high seven points from winning positions this season.
Merson's prediction
Newcastle have to win this. There's no two ways about it. For 45 minutes against Man City they were very, very good. They should have come in at 3-0 up.
But to let that many goals in in 20 minutes is worrying. The players downed tools, and that's not on if you're a manager.
For 60 minutes against Chelsea they were very good, 45 minutes against City, and they've come out with one point and let in eight goals. They need to perform for 90 minutes, and the effort shouldn't just be upped because you're playing last season's top two.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2
Betting
Newcastle (6/4) have edged favouritism with Sky Bet for their crucial clash with Norwich (7/4), with the draw available at 23/10. With the hosts currently bottom of the table and without a win the pressure is mounting on boss Steve McClaren, who is 5/2 second favourite with the online bookmaker to be the next manager to leave his job.
The Toon have beaten the Canaries by exactly one goal in each of their last three meetings at St James' Park and it's 3/1 for that trend to continue. Neither side has kept a clean sheet this season and both teams to score is available at 8/11.
Soccer Saturday pundits Charlie Nicholas is backing a 1-1 draw with Cameron Jerome scoring the opener; the scorecast pays 30/1. Listen to Charlie's views on the match and bet here.
